A distraught family were today looking to the public for help after a hit-and-run van driver mowed down their six-month-old dog.

Hayley Nichols, 15, had to carry her beloved pet Lucky's lifeless body home following the incident in Vange.

She now hopes early morning drivers may hold vital clues which will lead her to the driver responsible for killing Lucky - a Labrador-cross.

Hayley, who is just weeks away from her 16th birthday, was on a pedestrian crossing in Vange Hill Road returning from her paper round when the accident happened.

Her dad, Mr Nichols, of Goldings Crescent, Vange, said: "The van came out of nowhere and didn't slow down or anything, even after hitting Lucky.

"It was Hayley's first dog and she is absolutely distraught. She is on tablets from the doctor."

He added: "She keeps seeing the dog's face and saying 'why me?' She had to scoop up Lucky and carry her home, even though she was dead."

Hayley believes the van was possibly a Transit, with a name written on the side which began with Fleet. Although it was clean, it was covered with dirt at the back.

Witnesses to the accident on Wednesday at 6.30am should call Laindon police on 01268 541312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Shocked - Hayley Nichols tends the garden grave of her pet Lucky

Picture: NICK ANSELL

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