DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Blackburn mother Alison McBlain have released photographs of a man wanted in connection with her death.

Dean Qayum, 20, from Blackburn, is wanted by police following the murder of 36-year-old Ms McBlain and officers believe he is hiding in the town.

Police are warning anyone hiding him that they will be arrested. Qayum is believed to have a leg injury and could be using crutches.

It comes as a third person was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday.

Ms McBlain died in hospital on Thursday after being hit by a Fiat Punto Grande on King Street, Blackburn, at 7.50pm on Tuesday.

Her family, including her 12-year-old son Reagan, were by her bedside.

Det Ch Insp Lee Wilson said: “Qayum is wanted in connection with this extremely serious offence.

“He knows police want to speak to him and I believe he is being harboured in and around the Blackburn area at this time.

“I would warn anyone who is protecting him, or helping to hide him, that we will identify this during our investigation and they will also be arrested and prosecuted.

“My thoughts and those of the team engaged on this inquiry remain with Alison’s loved ones, in particular her 12-year-old son Reagan. I would urge anyone with information about what has happened, or knows where Qayum is, to do the right thing – please come forward and speak to police immediately.

“We will not stop in our efforts to find him and I would urge the public to help us find those responsible for this brutal and callous attack.”

A 25-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Wednesday night but he has was re-arrested on suspicion of murder following Ms McBlain's death.

Yesterday officers were granted more time to question him by the courts.

Detectives are also continuing to question a 26-year-old man from Blackburn arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday afternoon.

A second pedestrian, 26-year-old Christian Rivers, suffered a broken ankle and broken wrist, after also being hit by the Fiat.

He left the scene before police arrived and officers launched an appeal to find him. He was found on Wednesday afternoon in a house close to the scene and was helping police with their enquiries.

The Fiat Punto, which was believed to be on cloned plates, was driven off after the incident.

A similar car was later found by police in Lower Hollin Bank Street with significant front end damage and attempts had been made to set the vehicle on fire.

It has been recovered as part of the investigation.

Detectives said they remain keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the car, registration EX07PYA, in the moments before or after the collision, to come forward.

They would also like to speak to anyone in the Whalley Banks or Hollin Bridge Street area who has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 0915 of November 19 or through the Major Incident Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020119E09-PO1 You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.