POLICE investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident in the New Forest have made a fresh appeal for witnesses.

Officers have launched a major search for the motorist who left the 58-year-old man to die after the accident near Cadnam.

Today it was revealed that the safety-conscious victim had been wearing a fluorescent cycle jacket in a bid to make himself more visible.

He was riding along Furzley Road, Newbridge, on Monday evening when the accident happened near its junction with Newbridge Road.

Police are anxious to hear from anyone who was using Furzley Road between 7pm and 7.40pm so they can be eliminated from their inquiries.

The senior investigating officer, Sgt Richard Parsons, said: "It's vital that we establish the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

"It's crucial that anyone who can help with this investigation comes forward, no matter how small or insignificant they feel the information is."

A passing motorist found the badly injured cyclist lying in the road and raised the alarm.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital, but died of his injuries as police combed the area for the driver responsible.

A police helicopter circled Newbridge and Bramshaw late into the evening.

The cyclist will not be named until all his relatives have been told, but came from the New Forest area.

Locals said motorists often drove too fast along Furzley Road, despite the sharp bends and lack of street lighting.

But Newbridge resident Richard Manley, chairman of the New Forest Commoners' Defence Association, denied that the road was dangerous.

Joan Pressey is chairman of Bramshaw Parish Council and was driving home after a meeting of the authority when she saw the police activity.

She said: "I was very sorry when I heard that the accident had resulted in a fatality. I was hoping it wasn't that bad."

Anyone with information should ring Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 4545 and speak to officers involved in Operation Centaurus.