A DRIVER may hold vital clues to a hit-and-run in central Brighton which left a pedestrian dead.

Officers from Sussex Police want to speak with the driver of a light five door Renault which was seen in Edward Street and the Old Steine area of Brighton.

It was spotted five minutes prior to the death of Janos Sasvari, who was run down by a Vauxhall Astra as he crossed the road near St James's Street.

Mr Sasvari was hit by the vehicle at around 10pm on January 10 and died at the scene.

It happened after the Astra failed to stop in the Bear Road area for officers and it was pursued towards Brighton. 

The vehicle did not stop after the crash and was later found abandoned on Madeira Drive.

Two men, aged 33 and 35, were later arrested after handing themselves in.

They were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving, failing to stop for police and failing to report an accident.

They have been bailed until February.

Sergeant Richard Hornsey, of the Sussex Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "It's possible that the driver or other occupants of this car make this journey regularly and the three week anniversary might prompt their recollection.

"The car is a light-coloured five-door hatchback, possibly a silver or grey Renault, that was travelling down Edward Street at about 9.55pm on Tuesday, January 10. It had to stop suddenly in the junction with Grand Parade and Old Steine.

"I would stress that the driver is not a suspect, but they may have important information that could assist our investigation."

Moving tributes to Mr Sasvari, known to his friends as Jonny or Hungarian John, have poured in, especially from the Greek Cypriot family he worked for through most of his years in Brighton.

Anyone who recognises the description of the car is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Beresford.