EMMERDALE actress Chelsea Halfpenny is begging for anyone with information to come forward as her granddad fights for his life after a hit and run.

The soap star, 30, has warned "you will be found" after the 85-year-old was struck by a car in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, on Friday night.

He was rushed to hospital with serious injuries where he remains in a critical condition.

Police have issued a description of a Mercedes car they believe to be involved in the collision.

Eyewitnesses claim that they saw a group of four lads return to the scene to pick up debris from the road.

Chelsea, who is best known for playing young mum Amy Wyatt in Emmerdale, has also pleaded with anyone who knows who the driver to do the "right thing".

In an emotional online post she branded those responsible for the callous incident at "scum".

She said: "There are four lads who all have mams, dads, aunties, uncles, and friends so there are a lot of people in a very small area that have information on what happened last night.

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"Do the right thing. You have left somebody in a critical condition. You will be found.

"Group of 18/19 year-olds, one with fair hair, who came back to where the 85-year-old victim was lay bleeding and picked up the pieces of their damaged car and drove away. Scum of this earth."

Northumbria Police were contacted by the ambulance service at around 7.30pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene, at Woodburn on the Leam Lane estate.

Officers are treating the incident as a suspected hit and run, and say they believe the injured man had been crossing the road when he was struck by a car which then left the area.

Police are looking for a silver or grey Mercedes which was last seen travelling on Staneway heading towards Wealcroft.

Sgt Michael Parnaby, from Northumbria Police, said: “This incident has left an elderly man in a critical condition and it is imperative we find out exactly what happened.

“I would like to thank everyone who has come forward and offered their assistance to the investigation so far, but our enquiries to trace the driver remain ongoing which is why we have released further details today.

“We believe the car in question was a silver or grey Mercedes, which left Woodburn after the incident, and was last seen on Staneway.

"We’re asking anyone who was in the area, or anyone who thinks they may know the driver, or saw a similar vehicle in the local area, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

'SCUM OF THIS EARTH'

Chelsea, who is the niece of former EastEnders actress and Strictly contestant Jill Halfpenny, has also starred as Alicia Munroe in Casualty.

She is currently playing Jenna Hunterson in the touring musical Waitress.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “We're appealing for witnesses and dashcam after a pensioner was seriously injured in a suspected hit and run.

“It is believed the pedestrian, an 85-year-old man, had been crossing the road when he was struck by a dark coloured vehicle which has then left the area. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

“An investigation has been launched and enquiries to trace the driver are ongoing.

“We're now appealing for any witnesses, or motorists with dashcam footage to get in touch to help us establish what has happened."

Anyone with information can call 101, use the Tell us Something page online or email [email protected] quoting log NP-20220225-0977.

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