The family of a pensioner who died in a hit-and-run incident have been told that a request to have the case against two suspects reviewed has been refused.

No charges will be brought against two men - aged 18 and 20 - who are believed to have been in a car that hit James Mulligan.

The 73-year-old was killed in May as he waited for a bus with a friend near his home in High Heworth, Gateshead.

Northumbria Police had told Mr Mulligan's family they were asking the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review the evidence against the two men.

Private prosecution

The men had admitted being in the car at the time of the crash but were not charged because neither would admit to driving the vehicle.

Now the CPS has said there is insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Mr Mulligan's family say they are unhappy with the CPS's decision, and they are considering taking out a private prosecution against the two men.

An inquest into Mr Mulligan's death is due to take place in November.