A 43-YEAR-old man has died after he was struck by a car in a suspected hit and run accident.

Peter Stappard was found lying in Canterbury Street, Blackburn, by a taxi driver in the early hours of this morning.

The taxi driver who discovered the 43-year-old called the police and the ambulance service around 1.10am.

Mr Stappard was taken to Royal Blackburn hospital suffering from a multiple injuries include a serious pelvic one which police officers believe is consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Police said that he died in hospital this afternoon.

Investigating officers are calling on anyone who may have seen Mr Stappard before he was found in Canterbury Street to contact them.

He was wearing a light blue waist length jacket, blue jeans and white training shoes.

Inspector Steve Dowson said: "I would like to appeal to anyone who knows Mr Stappard to contact the police, particularly anyone who spent time with him last night.

"We are still at the very early stages of this investigation and we need to find out where Mr Stappard had been before he was found on Canterbury Street.

"I would also urge anybody who was in the Canterbury Street area between 12.50am and 1.20am this morning to come forward.

"This is a fairly busy road, even at that time, and is a popular route for drivers wishing to by-pass the town centre, I believe somebody may be able to help us with our enquiries, and make a specific appeal to taxi or hackney cab drivers."

Anybody with any information should contact police on 01254 51212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.