Police are hunting a driver after a young boy was killed in a hit and run.

The seven-year-old child was knocked down in Sandgate Esplanade at 5.35pm yesterday evening.

The driver is then said to have “left him dying in the middle of the road”.

Police and ambulance crews rushed to the town centre, but despite efforts to save his life, the boy died at the scene. His family have been told.

Officers have now issued an appeal for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

They say the collision happened on the A259 Sandgate Esplanade near its junction with Prospect Road.

It involved two vehicles, an unidentified car or van and a red Citroen car. The unidentified vehicle left the scene in the direction of Hythe, before the arrival of emergency services.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw either the victim or vehicles in the moments leading up to it, is urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference MM/DGC/130/23. You can also email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk

Drivers are also asked to check dashcams or CCTV for any footage that may help the investigation,including footage in the area before and after the incident, which can be submitted to the police here.

Posting on Facebook about the tragedy last night, a woman – thought to be a family member of the boy – said: “There was a hit and run in Sandgate Esplanade. The driver killed a seven-year-old boy and left him dying in the middle of the road.

“Anyone who has any CCTV footage of the local area please have a look. Any dashcams eyewitness or anyone with any information on the driver.

“Please come forward and contact the police. Help us catch this killer, please share this everyone. Thank you so much.”

The incident sparked a huge emergency services response, with multiple teams sent to the scene in the aftermath.

The high street remained closed overnight to allow police to carry out accident investigation work.

The road reopened just after 7am today.

People in the town have spoken of their shock this morning.

One Sandgate Road resident said he heard what he thought was shouting yesterday evening, looked out of his window and saw a small crowd of people.

Someone could be seen on the road, warding traffic off from the Seabrook direction.

More people soon joined and people appeared traumatised.

Within minutes, patrol cars arrived with their sirens on and blocked the road with their vehicles.

"We're really shaken up by what we saw, we've hardly slept,” the resident said.

“It's becoming more dangerous crossing that road and there are increasing numbers of people who need to cross it."