DETECTIVES investigating the death of pensioner killed in a hit-and-run yards from her front door have released more details on the wanted motorist.

Will Clarke

DETECTIVES investigating the death of pensioner killed in a hit-and-run yards from her front door have released more details on the wanted motorist.

Police revealed the details at an inquest that they believe Thelma Joyce Driver's killer is from Suffolk but has since taken the car-sized red Vauxhall Combo van off the road and is hiding it somewhere in the county.

Speaking at the inquest in Bury St Edmunds Det Insp Jeff Yaxley said the investigation following the incident last December, in Out Northgate in Bury, had narrowed the hunt to a handful of untraced red vans.

He said his officers had eliminated 49 vehicles from the search and taken in excess of 130 statements - mostly relating to the immediate aftermath in the early afternoon of December 19 last year.

Mr Yaxley called on members of the public to come forward if they knew of any red vans held in storage in the county or if they knew anything about the driver.

It is thought the van driver stopped briefly after hitting the music-loving 81-year-old before speeding off out of town.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, also reiterated police appeals that it was not too late for the driver of the van to come forward.

Anybody with information should contact Operation Tankard on 01284 774 100.