POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 79-year-old woman was killed as she walked along the notorious A140 in Suffolk.The road was closed in both directions at Stonham Parva, near the Mendlesham mast, for several hours after the woman, said to be local to the area, was in collision with a red Mercedes ML430 at around 9.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 79-year-old woman was killed as she walked along the notorious A140 in Suffolk.

The road was closed in both directions at Stonham Parva, near the Mendlesham mast, for several hours after the woman, said to be local to the area, was in collision with a red Mercedes ML430 at around 9.45pm on Sunday.

The road reopened completely at 5.45am yesterday morning.

The woman suffered extensive head injuries and was taken to Ipswich Hospital where she later died.

A police spokesman said the woman, who has not yet been formally identified, had been to the Magpie Inn at Stonham Parva. She was walking north towards the Mendlesham mast when the accident happened.

He said they were trying to contact relatives, believed to be in Norwich.

Belinda Rudderham, who took over the management of the pub just last week, said the woman had been in the pub on Sunday night, but only briefly.

Mrs Rudderham did not meet her that night when she came in for a glass of sherry and then left.

However, she did meet her the Sunday before last when she walked up to the pub.

She said: “We were in chaos then and she didn't know we were closed, but she stopped to chat for a few minutes and she was really nice. She was talking about the history of the pub. She had lots of information and told me lots about it.

“It's difficult to describe her. I don't know her because we have not been here very long. The locals say she pops in from time to time.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named said: “I think it was her treat to go up to the Magpie and have a little glass of sherry and then go home again.”

She added: “I heard she was on the Mickfield/Stowupland crossroads when it happened. If she wanted to keep on the pavement she would have had to have crossed the A140.

“Perhaps she would have done it a hundred times, I just don't now. It is terribly sad though.”

Described as “eccentric” by a neighbour the pensioner would occasionally walk 1.3 miles along the A140 to the pub for a glass of sherry.

A police spokesman said any witnesses should call PC 1462 Stephen Griggs at Suffolk police traffic unit on 01473 613500.