Police are searching for a motorist after an elderly pedestrian was killed in a suspected hit-and-run.

Dorset Police said the 71-year-old woman died following a car crash in Poole Road in Branksome, Poole, on Friday night.

The pensioner, who has not been named, was taken to Poole Hospital but died from her injuries. Her family has been informed and the coroner has been notified, police said.

Investigators are now on the hunt for the driver of “a small light-coloured vehicle similar to a Renault Clio and a dark-coloured saloon similar to a Mercedes E Class”.

Sergeant Fern Graham, of Dorset Police's traffic unit, said: “My thoughts are with the woman's family at this difficult time and we have specially-trained officers supporting them.

”Following further investigations, we believe the offending vehicle made off from the scene.

“We understand these vehicles were following an ambulance eastbound along Poole Road around the time of the incident."

The force also made a public appeal for any information that could aid its investigation.

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“I would also ask any motorists who may have been driving in the area at the time to review their dashcam footage and report anything that may be relevant to us," Sgt Graham said.

Poole Road was closed in the aftermath of the incident to allow to investigators to examine the scene but has since reopened.