A student has been charged in connection with the death of pedestrian in a road accident.

Michael Uren, 24, is accused of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Pedestrian Kenneth Shepperd, 69, was hit by a white hatchback car in Elm Grove at 11.44pm on Saturday.

Mr Shepperd, of Demontford Road, Brighton, was found with extensive head and chest injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road, where he died.

Uren, of Pages Close, Heathfield, a business studies student at the University of Sussex, was due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Inspector Steve Higgs at Shoreham traffic police on 0845 6070999.

Mr Shepperd ran a pub in Eastbourne before moving to Brighton and buying his home in De Montfort Road.

An electrician by trade, he ran his own businesses and worked for many years for the BBC. He was in charge of lighting for several programmes, including the hit comedy series Hi De Hi.

He was still working at the time of his death, refurbishing a shop in Seaside, Eastbourne, prior to sale.

His closest friend, John Danyell, 40, of Ashton Rise, Brighton, said: "Ken could be cantankerous but he had a heart of gold."

Mr Danyell said the victim was well known on the gay scene in Brighton.

He said: "He loved food and wine and was a great character. He had a nickname, Candyfloss, because of his hair. He will be sadly missed by us all."

Miguel De Los Rios, 23, Mr Shepperd's lodger, said: "He was quiet and didn't talk a lot about himself but he was active and went out most days."

Neighbour Dorothy Godfrey said: "He must have lived around here for about 15 to 20 years. He always talked to me and asked how I was. He was very quiet and never did anybody any harm."