Karl Andrew Malton (32), from Crowland, was discovered in a ditch beside a minor road known as Whip Chicken Road just off the B1166, Crowland at about 11.25pm.

11.45am update: A 33-year-old man was knocked down and killed as he walked along a quiet country road in Crowland last night (May 13).

The body of the 33-year-old man was discovered shortly after 11.30pm in a ditch running alongside a minor road known as Whip Chicken Road, in Crowland.

Emergency services had been called to the scene by a motorist who believed he had hit a pedestrian as he drove along the road which is just off the B1166 and about 300 yards south of the junction with the A1073 near St James Farm, Postland Road.

Police officers began searching the area and made the grim discovery a few minutes later in a ditch running alongside the road.

Local diversions put in place while the body was recovered, and were lifted at about 3.30am.

It is believed the victim lived locally.

The driver of the car, a silver Honda Prelude, was a 58-year-old local man, who was said to be shocked but not injured.

Councillor Paul Przyszlak, who represents Crowland and Deeping St Nicholas, said: "It's sad to hear of such a tragedy happening in the village, and my thoughts go out to the family and friends of this man."

The road is described as a single track which heads through the countryside from the town to Cow- bit. It is not known where the pedestrian was walking from at the time of the collision.

The pedestrian is the 15th victim to be killed on Lincolnshire's roads this year compared with 28 at the same time last year.

Lincolnshire police have launched a campaign to cut the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.

In the latest bid to make the county safer, police are cracking down on reckless motorcyclists.

Operations Stealth and Evidens aims to enforce the law and educate riders of the need to ride safely.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area and seen either the pedestrian or the silver car prior to the collision.

Anyone with any information should call police on 01522 558855, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111