A 71-year-old man died after being hit by a car as he crossed a Black Country road. Brian Metcalfe was hit by a vehicle which failed to stop in Oldbury.

He was crossing Dudley Road on his way to The George pub, just after 11pm on Friday night.

Customers ran out and an ambulance was called, but he was pronounced dead.

The former landlord of nearby pub The Jolly Collier was thought to have been returning from a cashpoint.

The driver of a Nissan Micra which failed to stop. was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A woman, 32, was released on bail.

Staff and locals paid tribute to “Welsh Brian”. The George landlady Lorraine Riese, 50, said: “Brian worked away in the week, for the RAF, but would come in at the weekend for his half of Carling.

“He was a real gentleman, always smartly dressed in a shirt and tie, and always had time for everyone.”

At the Jolly Collier, near Mr Metcalfe’s family home, in Junction Street, Mandy Fanthom, 44, said: “He was always so smart, a genuine gentleman. He will be missed by a lot of people.”

At his home yesterday family members were too upset to talk.

Police say anyone with information should call the collision investigation team on 0345 1135000.