THE family of a tragic hit-and-run victim began 2005 with a new bid to trace the driver who left him dying in the street.

The move came as the family of Shaun Metcalfe prepared to mark the first anniversary of his death.

Shaun, 34, was killed at about 3am on Sunday, January 18, after being hit by a car outside the pub where he had worked part-time for six years.

Police believe the vehicle may have been a taxi or takeaway delivery car heading out of Blackburn when the accident occurred outside the Hare and Hounds, Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Shaun, who also worked as a wood-sprayer at Baron Mercers, William Street, Accrington, had been for a night out at the pub, and was heading home to Ruskin Avenue. His friend Mick Ashby, 35, witnessed the accident. Police have never traced the car and despite a tip-off earlier in the year admit they have struggled for information which could lead them to the driver.

Now Shaun's family is launching a fresh public appeal to trace the driver. His brother, Mark, 35, also of Ruskin Avenue, revealed the family would be unable to rest until the driver had come forward with information.

He said: "We don't hold any grudges, there isn't going to be a revenge party out for them. We just need to know so we can start to move on with our lives.

"It will never be too late. If it's five years it will never be too late for them to come forward."

Police investigations into the incident revealed whoever hit Shaun stopped the car a short distance away and reversed but then drove off again. An inquest later recorded a verdict of accidental death.

At Shaun's funeral, held at St Mary's Church, Oswaldtwistle, more than 200 mourners from across the county turned up to pay their respects.

Now the family are hoping to make the most of the holiday season, a time of year Shaun, an uncle to eight young children, loved.

Mother Jennifer, 51, a senior care assistant who also lived at the family home on Ruskin Avenue, is finding the approaching anniversary especially hard to deal with.

Mark said: "I think it's about time we did something, especially with the anniversary coming up. It may or may not prick someone's conscience to cause them to come forward, even if it's just a passenger.

"Shaun was uncle to eight, and five of them were old enough to know what had happened. It was very upsetting for them. His closest one was his nephew, Anthony. They used to go fishing together regularly.

"Since Shaun was killed that has come to a complete stop. He doesn't want to know any more. His best fishing partner was Shaun.

"We just don't know the full story. His friend that was with him just cannot remember exactly what happened. Shaun cannot tell us and the only other person was the driver, or passengers in the vehicle. Once we get the full story we can start to get an end to it."