Emmerdale actress Chelsea Halfpenny has issued an emotional plea for information as her granddad fights for life in hospital after a hit and run.
The 85-year-old suffered serious injuries when he was struck by car in Gateshead on Friday night. He remains in a "critical" condition.
Police have issued a description of a Mercedes car they believe to be involved in the collision. While eyewitnesses have told how a group of around four lads returned to the scene to pick up debris from the road.
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And Chelsea, who is best known for playing young mum Amy Wyatt in Emmerdale, has also pleaded with anyone who knows who the driver is to do the "right thing" as she branded those responsible "scum".
In an emotional post on Facebook the 30-year-old said: "There are four lads who all have mams, dads, aunties, uncles, and friends so there are a lot of people in a very small area that have information on what happened last night.
"Do the right thing. You have left somebody in a critical condition. You will be found.
"Group of 18/19 year-olds, one with fair hair, who came back to where the 85-year-old victim was lay bleeding and picked up the pieces of their damaged car and drove away. Scum of this earth."
Northumbria Police was contacted by the ambulance service at around 7.30pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene, at Woodburn on the Leam Lane estate.
Officers, who are treating the incident as a suspected hit and run, say they believe the injured man had been crossing the road when he was struck by a car which then left the area. The man was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.
On Sunday, police issued a description of the car they are looking for.
It is believed to be a silver or grey Mercedes and was last seen travelling on Staneway heading towards Wealcroft.
Sgt Michael Parnaby, from Northumbria Police, said: “This incident has left an elderly man in a critical condition and it is imperative we find out exactly what happened.
“I would like to thank everyone who has come forward and offered their assistance to the investigation so far, but our enquiries to trace the driver remain ongoing which is why we have released further details today.
“We believe the car in question was a silver or grey Mercedes, which left Woodburn after the incident, and was last seen on Staneway. We’re asking anyone who was in the area, or anyone who thinks they may know the driver, or saw a similar vehicle in the local area, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Chelsea, who is the niece of well-known Geordie actress Jill Halfpenny, has also starred as Alicia Munroe in Casualty.
She is currently playing Jenna Hunterson in the touring musical Waitress, which is coming to Newcastle's Theatre Royal next week.
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