THE brother of a Bolton man left critically injured by a hit and run driver today backed a renewed police appeal for witnesses.

Kenneth Bell, 62, was knocked down at the junction of Belmont Road and Blackburn Road, just yards from his home at about 9.05pm on Sunday.

His brother Gilbert says that Kenneth, who lives alone on Belmont Road, had probably been for a drink at the Three Pigeons and was on his way back to the Carters Arms, two doors down from his home, where he would have stayed until closing time.

He said: "Kenneth lived alone, but went out regularly and was well known in the area. "I had spoken to him a couple of hours before the accident and we are in touch on the phone two or three times a week."

Gilbert spent Sunday night and most of yesterday at his brother's bedside.

Kenneth, a former Warburtons baker, was crossing Belmont Road at the lights and had reached the middle of the road, when he was struck by the right front wing of a passing car.

He was tossed on to the bonnet and carried along the road on the roof, before falling on to the opposite carriageway of Blackburn Road, near the chemist. The driver of the vehicle - possibly a private hire taxi - sped away from the scene towards Bolton, leaving Kenneth on the road.

Kenneth was still in intensive care at Bolton General Hospital today with multiple injuries.

The car is described as a white saloon and may have had private hire plates on the back.

Police would like to hear from the driver, or anyone who thinks they may have seen the car. There is also the possibility that someone could have hired it for a journey to the quiet Belmont Road area about the time of the accident.

Anyone with information should contact Bolton Traffic Police on (0161) 872 5050.

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