A moped rider who died following a suspected hit-and-run incident on a main route through Staffordshire has been named, as police step up the hunt for the lorry driver responsible.

Benjamin Warrington, aged 24, was confirmed dead at the scene of the collision, on the A38 near the Streethay slip-road, on Tuesday.

He lived with his girlfriend Charlotte Pearsall, in Agincourt Road, Lichfield. A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “He moved in to live with Charlotte.

They were a lovely couple. It is so sad what has happened.”

Detectives are appealing for people to help them trace the HGV which was involved in the fatal collision with Benjamin’s Yamaha 50cc moped as the driver fled the scene.

Inspector Jed White, Lichfield District Local Policing Team Commander, said specially trained officers are comforting the family.

He said: “We are trying to locate the HGV and want to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed the collision or seen the moped travelling northbound on the A38.

“In particular, we want to speak to the occupants of a silver people carrier-type vehicle that travelled from near the railway station in Lichfield, joined the A38 at Streethay and came off at the Fradley park junction.

“It is believed the HGV was possibly red and black and had curtain sides.

“The HGV was travelling north so it may have left the A38 at Fradley Business Park or continued on towards Burton and Derby.”

The collision happened at 5.25am on Tuesday. Anyone with any information should call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident 68 of February 21, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.