Police have called for witnesses to come forward - a year after a driver mowed down a man and dragged him backwards along a street.

Gravesend man Neil Martin, 43, died after he was hit by the car in Old Road West in the town.

Even the banging of a witness on the driver's door failed to stop the killer driver.

Now North Kent police are renewing their appeal for witnesses to the incident on Thursday 31st May 2007.

Between 7.20 and 7.30pm that evening, Mr Martin was crossing Old Road West when a silver-coloured Ford Escort reversed back into him.

The driver hit him and continued to drag him backwards until a witness starting banging on his window.

At this point the driver sped off in the direction of Pelham Road and Perry Street. Neil was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting but lost his fight for life a week later on Thursday 7 June 2007.

The driver is described as an Asian male, in his late 20s or early 30s.

The car is believed to be a silver Ford Escort and police officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or seen the car drive off.

They also want to hear from anyone who may have seen the car parked in the area around Old Road West between Pelham Road and Cecil Road on the day of the incident or the days around it.

Detective Sergeant Tom Duff, who is investigating the case, said:

"We are appealing for the driver of the vehicle or anyone who may know who he is, to come forward so we can resolve this case. It may be the person who was driving this vehicle may have been genuinely unaware exactly what had happened."

Neil's mother, Joan Martin, said:

"Although we lost Neil a year ago, we still feel our grief acutely and that pain has not eased with time.

"If anyone has any information that would help police, please come forward and help us get closure to this tragic loss of our wonderful son."

If you have information about this incident or were in the area at the time, call the investigation team at North Kent Police Station on 01474 366082. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.