A banned drink driver who knocked down and killed a cyclist before fleeing the scene has been jailed for six years.

Samuel Kirk, 26, crossed double white lines to overtake a car on the A29 at Codmore Hill, near Pulborough, and hit Jennifer Hossack,, of Kingsfold, near Horsham, who was on the other side of the road.

Kirk lost control of his Citroen Xsara and crashed at 8pm on September 27 this year. He then fled the scene.

Miss Hossack, 27, and known to her friends and family as Jenny, died of her injuries.

Kirk, of no fixed address, was already disqualified from driving and had been drinking when he got behind the wheel and struck Miss Hossack.

He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on December 12 where he was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years.

He was also banned from driving for three years and will have to pass an extended test before he is allowed to have a licence again.

Judge Shani Barnes said Kirk had ruined the lives of the Hossack family when he took the decision to drive the car on that evening.

Sergeant Stewart Goodwin said: "The actions of Samuel Kirk show exactly what can happen when someone gets behind the wheel after drinking.

"His behaviour cost the Hossack family their loved one and have cost him his liberty.

"The message to people considering drink-driving is simple - don't do it."