Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a son who died after a suspected hit and run crash in Southend.

Stuart Chiddicks, 30, died in the incident in Southchurch Road in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Officers were called to Southchurch Road in Southend around 12:40am yesterday morning following reports of a man being found in the carriageway with serious injuries. He was taken to hospital where he died.

His family have today paid tribute to him saying: “He enjoyed life to the fullest and always put his family above all else. He’ll be sorely missed by all that knew him.”

Stuart’s mother added the following: “He was the light of my life. Stuart will be sorely missed. Goodnight my angel. Rest in peace, love mum.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: "This is currently being investigated by Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, due to indications that Stuart’s injuries were as a result of a collision, where the car had not stopped at the scene."

Police have now released the names and images of two men they want to speak to in connection with their investigation.

Police are also particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen a red Ford Fiesta, with a black roof in the area around that time.

The registration plate of this vehicle is CA64 ONZ.