Pedestrian Laura Manton (25) died at Peterborough District Hospital on Monday after being seriously injured in a collision with a car five days earlier.

The accident happened in Lincoln Road, close to its junction with Church Walk, at about 7pm, on October 2.

The 78-year-old male driver, who was in a blue Renault Clio, was not injured.

Now police have issued an urgent appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Sergeant Nigel Jennings said: "The area was busy at the time, and I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.

"Any information, no matter how small, could prove invaluable in determining what happened."

Ms Manton was a well known figure in the city, often found sleeping rough in a bus shelter at The Triangle, in New England.

She was the former girlfriend of homeless Thomas Smythe, who died in January last year at the age 46.

Months before his tragic death, he had told The Evening Telegraph of the couple's fight for survival as they struggled to cope with freezing cold and pouring rain, living in a metal storage shed.

In a heart-breaking tale, he told the ET that the couple were not accepted into any shelters or council schemes as they were both alcoholics who drank around the clock.

Related:
Popular homeless man has died, Jack Grove, 10 January 2007.

Anyone who may have details about the collision should call Sgt Jennings immediately on 0845 456 4564.