Northumbria Police have issued an appeal after a man in his 40s was found dead after a suspected hit-and-run.

The police said on Facebook: “Were you travelling on the A19 near Hylton Grange Interchange overnight?

You could be a witness to a suspected hit-and-run after a man aged in his 40s was sadly found dead.

Enquiries are at an early stage, but it is believed the driver of a 2014 model or more recent Spirit Blue Ford Fiesta left the scene after being involved in the incident.

We would ask people to remain vigilant and be mindful of any vehicles matching the description that might be recently damaged in their communities.”

If you have any information to help, you need to contact the force direct.