The family of a man who died following a road collision have appealed for the driver to come forward on the 12th anniversary of the tragedy.

Shaun Metcalfe, 35, had been out drinking with a friend at the Hare and Hounds pub on Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle on Saturday, January 18, 2004, when he died as a result of a collision. The driver has never been traced.

Shaun left the pub with his friend at around 3am to begin the journey home to Ruskin Avenue.

He then went to cross Blackburn Road but what exactly happened next remains unclear and police are appealing to the driver to come forward and help them with their enquiries.

PC Mark Royle-Evatt said: “We know that Shaun died as a result of a collision but what we don’t know is whether he was already laid or crouched on the road before he was hit.

“If that was the case, it may be that the driver didn’t see him and has hit him completely by accident. I am asking the driver to search their conscience and come forward.

“This isn’t about blame, it’s about finding out what happened. This case is still open and despite the passage of time we remain committed to getting answers for Mr Metcalfe’s family and friends.”

Shaun’s brother Mark Metcalfe added: “We as the family of Shaun would ask the driver of the vehicle involved in Shaun’s accident to come forward to the police, giving us an accurate account of the events that night from your point of view.

“We need you to put yourself in our position and imagine how you and your family would feel having to go through what we have. He was a loving and caring son, brother and uncle who has left a void in family life for us.

“We really do need to be able to visit his grave and finally say to him that we now know exactly what the events of that night were.” Call police on 101 quoting EL0400035.