A RINGWOOD company has offered a £4,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of a hit and run driver following the death of a teenage girl.

Churchill Retirement Living is offering the reward after being touched by the appeal made by Jade Clark’s family at a press conference this week for the driver of a Volvo believed to have been involved in the crash to come forward.

A spokesman for the company said: “Like the rest of the local community we are really saddened by this event.

“This has touched many of our employees who have daughters of a similar age and if in some small way we can support the police in their determined efforts to find the driver of the Volvo we are only too pleased to help.”

The 16-year-old’s family have appealed to the driver of a Volvo XC90 that left the scene to come forward, saying: “You must be finding this hard to live with.”

The bubbly teenager was on her way to a party in St Ives on the evening of Sunday, February 24 when she was knocked off her red moped on the A31, near the Fish Inn, at 8.23pm.

Jade’s mother, Sharon Clark, said: “To lose Jade the way we did is what’s hardest to bear.

“For a driver to cause Jade’s accident and then drive away, leaving her alone in the road, is almost too difficult to believe.

“To that driver, I would say please, please come forward and contact the police.

“You must be finding this hard to live with, especially if you have children of your own.

“To anyone else who knows this driver, or knows where the car might be, please contact the police as soon as possible.

“From the moment we were given this awful news, the family has been devastated. Jade was such a lovely girl.

“Losing her has left a hole in our hearts and our lives that will never be filled.

“She was a wonderful daughter, stepdaughter, sister, granddaughter and friend.

“So many people have said so many nice things about Jade and I’d like to thank all of them for their kindness.”

Jade’s stepfather Daniel Clark, her grandmother Linda Pidgley and father Billy Herald were also at the press conference.

Traffic inspector Matt Butler, who is leading the case, said: “There’s no indication of whether the driver was male or female and we cannot prove what colour the car is.

“I particularly appeal to the driver to get in touch – you can see the distress this has caused Jade’s family. Please do the right thing.

“The front of the vehicle will be damaged.

“If anyone is aware of a Volvo XC90 which has sustained damage or has been repaired in the last few days, they should call the police urgently.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

l Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset Martyn Underhill has vowed to closely monitor safety concerns on the A31 following the accident.

He said: “I have been briefed by the force on this issue and my thoughts are obviously with the family at this terrible time.”

“I have also requested that I receive a briefing on the summary of accidents on this stretch of road, in order that I can be properly informed about the issues.”

“If, as I suspect, there is a real case here for lowering the speed limit, I will work with local MPs, partners and the Hampshire PCC to address the issue.”