A devastated dog owner is appealing for witnesses to come forward after his puppy was hit by a van at high speed.

Ten-month-old Bruno died after he was struck by the vehicle in Ashford Road in Bilsington on Monday afternoon.

Owner Charlie Eastwood says his mum was walking Bruno off the lead in the country road near Faggs Farm when a blue Volkswagen van hit the animal and drove off.

Cockerdor Bruno, a cross between a Labrador and Cocker Spaniel, died instantly after being seriously injured at about 4.30pm.

Mr Eastwood is urging people to come forward to help him find the driver responsible.

His younger relatives, including his niece who is just four years old, were among those who witnessed the dog get run down.

Mr Eastwood published a post on Facebook asking people to come forward if they notice a blue VW Caddy van with a damaged front end.

The engineer from Hillbrow Lane, Ashford, said: "This person is clearly a dangerous driver - it is against the law to hit a dog and not report it.

"I want them to understand the severity of the incident and the pain that it has caused.

"If it was seconds later, one of my family members could have been hit."

Mr Eastwood's autistic brother has been badly affected by the incident.

He added: "My younger brother Paddy is walking around like a lost cause, he spoke to Bruno more than anyone else.

"Luckily he didn't witness it but he didn't sleep last night after he found out what had happened.

"He has lost a best friend and we are worried that he will backtrack now the dog has gone."