THE victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident in the New Forest was a former policeman, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Ex-sergeant John Morris was a long-distance cyclist who was instrumental in bringing the Tour de France to Hampshire ten years ago.

He was riding his favourite bike on Monday evening when he was hit by a vehicle that failed to stop.

Mr Morris, 58, of Wood Road, Ashurst, was found by a passing motorist and taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.

Yesterday, his widow Marion and her two sons, Andrew and Graham, issued a statement in which they described Mr Morris as a "loving son, husband, father and grandad".

The statement added: "John retired from Hampshire police after 30 years' service and took up a role outside the force as a traffic accident investigator.

"For nearly 50 years John was a keen racing and touring cyclist and completed in dozens of rides in excess of 100 miles.

"He was instrumental in bringing the Tour de France to Hampshire in the 1990s.

"Always to be remembered by his loving family, we take a little solace in that John died riding the bicycle he so much loved."

Mr Morris retired from the police eight years ago. He spent part of his career on the Isle of Wight, but also served at Andover and Fareham.

The head of New Forest police, Supt Barry Talbot, said: "Many serving officers will have known and worked with John.

"All our thoughts are with his wife and family. We remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation into this incident, providing the same detailed inquiry as any other collision that has resulted in someone's death."

The accident happened as Mr Morris was returning from a visit to his brother-in-law, Pip Brown, who runs a cycle shop in Salisbury.

Mr Brown said: "John came around almost every Monday to do my accounts.

"He was a first-rate person who was well-liked by all the people he came into contact with."

Mr Morris was a member of Salisbury Road Club.

The president, Bill Shearing, said: "He was very conscientious and always did the best he could.

"No one did a job better than John."

Roger Bacon, president of New Forest Cycling Club, said: "John was a really nice bloke who was highly thought of.

"He was a former traffic co-ordinator in the police and was in charge of all the road closures when the Tour de France passed through Hampshire in 1994."

Mr Morris was riding along Furzley Road, Newbridge, when he was hit by a vehicle and left for dead.

Police want to hear from anyone who witnessed the accident or saw Mr Morris riding along the road between 7pm and 7.40pm on Monday.

Anyone with information should ring Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 4545 and ask to speak to officers involved in Operation Centaurus.