A MAN has died after being hit by a car in the latest tragedy on the roads.

It is the most recent incident to have claimed a life. It comes after a spate of crashes on the county's roads last week, in which two people were killed and others seriously injured.

Police and paramedics were called to the A3052 at Ware Cross, Lyme Regis, shortly before 2.30am yesterday morning.

The crash involved a car, a green BMW, and a pedestrian - a 29-year-old man.

He suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

The BMW was being driven by a 42-year-old local man who was not injured.

It happened just over the border in Devon although officers from both Dorset and Devon & Cornwall attended the incident.

Following the recent carnage on Dorset's roads, Inspector Joe Pardey, of Dorset Police’s traffic unit, said: “Every serious road traffic collision leaves at least one family devastated.

“Traffic police family liaison officers will continue to support families through difficult times, but the simple fact is that most collisions could be avoided.

“The work of our Roads Policing Team and Serious Collision Investigation Team is imperative to provide answers to those involved and to ultimately improve road safety and prevent collision happening in the first place.”

Clappentail Lane was closed both ways for several hours yesterday whilst emergency services dealt with the incident.

The road reopened early on Sunday afternoon.

Motorists were asked to seek alternative routes, and there were reports of delays in the area.

Police units from Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police were at the scene, and a specialist forensic investigation has taken place.

Conditions on the road are reported to have been 'dry and unlit' at the time of the collision.

Crews are particularly keen to trace the driver of a small van which was believed to have been in the area at the time of the collision.

Police from the Serious Collision Investigation Team are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact them on 101 quoting log number 153.