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The widower of a woman killed in a hit-and- run incident has made an impassioned appeal for the driver to come forward.

Shirley Valerie Leedham, 70, died after being struck by a vehicle as she crossed the A20 in her home village of Harrietsham at around 8.45am on Thursday morning.

She had lived in the village for 48 years.

Her husband John, 73, paid a moving tribute to his wife at the scene of the accident near the junction with West Street.

He said: “Our family has been devastated by what has happened and Shirley will be greatly missed by us all.

"She was my wife for over 50 years and leaves behind two sons and four grandchildren who loved her deeply.

"Although quiet and shy sometimes, she was an independent woman and well liked in the village and we are touched and thankful for all the wonderful tributes to Shirley which have been left by people in her memory.

“Although, we can’t bring Shirley back, we really need to find out what happened that day so our family can have closure at this difficult time.

“I would urge anyone who may have been in or near the area of the pelican crossing on Thursday morning to come forward to the police with information.

"It was a busy time of day and someone must have seen what happened.

"While it may seem unimportant, the slightest detail could be vital to the investigation and could make a big difference to uncovering the truth.

"Also I would like to appeal directly to the driver of the vehicle which hit Shirley and ask them to come forward to police as I'm sure her death must be playing on their conscience.”

The appeal comes after police interviewed more than 1,000 drivers using the road last Friday morning in a bid to find out more about what happened.

Last week Insp Geoff Wyatt, from Mid Kent Police, said officers were looking for a 4x4-type vehicle, which would have fresh damage to the bodywork and paintwork.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538 or call Kent Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.