POLICE hunting a hit-and-run driver that left a New Forest cyclist for dead have arrested a pensioner in connection with the inquiry.

The 71-year-old was arrested following the collision near Cadnam, which left pedal cyclist John Morris fatally injured at the side of the road.

Mr Morris, a retired police traffic officer, was found on the narrow unlit lane by a passing motorist on Monday evening.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital but died later that night.

Today Hampshire police confirmed a motorist had been quizzed in connection with the incident.

The man, who has not been named but comes from the Andover area, was subsequently released on police bail until November 23, pending further inquiries.

Today it emerged that 58-year-old Mr Morris had been wearing a fluorescent cycle jacket when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop.

Fellow members of Salisbury Road Club, of which Mr Morris was a member, were stunned by his death.

Their president, Bill Shearing, said Mr Morris's time in the police and subsequent career as an accident investigator had made him extremely safety conscious.

He said: "Whenever he went out with other cyclists he was always the most colourful person on the road."

Mr Morris, of Wood Road, Ashurst, had been to visit his brother-in-law, Pip Brown, who runs a cycle shop in Salisbury.

He was cycling home when he was hit by a vehicle at Furzley Road, Newbridge.

Grieving relatives have placed floral tributes at the spot where he was struck.

Anyone with information should ring Lyndhurst police on 0845 045 4545.