A CONCERNED van driver is appealing for witnesses after a car crashed into his van, in a hit and run.

Christopher Bengree, 57, from Southend, had the van he drives, a white Renault Trafic, smashed into at speed by a black metallic paint hatchback, which was assumed to be a Volkswagen Golf.

The crash took place at the junctions of Poynings Avenue, Arlington Road and Whittingham Avenue at around 8.45pm on November 7.

CCTV footage from a neighbours' house showed that the driver of the car left without hesitation after approaching Chris' van from the right side, crashing into it whilst going too fast. This caused significant damage to the rear quarter of the van, towards the wheel arch.

Chris, who lives on Poynings Avenue said: "At first I didn't know anything about it. My neighbours heard it happen, one of them phoned me and told me to come outside. My neighbour actually received CCTV footage of the crash happening.

"It's unbelievable that someone can do this and you suffer because of their stupidity. The value of the car was previously worth about £3,500, which is now worth nearly a third of this amount. You're looking at under £1,000 now on trade policy.

"I thought it was going to be a write off at first, but it wasn't. It's getting repaired by a friend from in the motor trade, which is the only good news to this story.

"It's an area where people pay undue car attention, they speed and drive erratically.

"I use that van for work, it means I'm losing revenue. We think it's a local vehicle that did this."

The driver who hit the van, failed to stop and leave any contact information, so they are still unsure who caused this damage.

Nobody was injured at the scene.

Essex Police have asked anyone with information to contact the Road Collision Records Team on 101, quoting the crash reference 343650.