A MAN was today helping police with their inquiries into the hit-and-run death of a grandfather of five.

The 31-year-old, from Bolton, was arrested at his home last night.

James Ellis, aged 55, died in hospital after suffering serious head injuries when he was involved in the accident as he walked home after a night out.

Police said the driver of the car involved drove off without stopping, leaving Mr Ellis unconscious in the carriageway at the junction of Park Road and Cricketers Way, Westhoughton.

Today Mr Ellis's 29-year-old son, also called James, spoke about his devastation at his father's death.

The tragedy came at a time when he is only just coming to terms with the death of his best friend -- who also died in a road accident.

His father's death brought back the harrowing memories of losing close pal Christopher Young, killed as he drove home after repairing his mother's car last September.

Mr Ellis, who was at the family's home in Stanley Close, Westhoughton, said today: "My dad was one-in-a-million, a very caring and thoughtful man."

He added: "I lost my closest friend and now my father has also gone. They both died in tragedies involving a car. I'm devastated."

His father died as he was walking home after a darts match at the Reform Club.

Police revealed yesterday that the driver did not stop after the incident just after midnight on Monday.

The tragedy happened just 10 months after his friend Mr Young, aged 29, of Brunswick Avenue, Horwich, died in a car accident in Atherton Road, Hindley.

Mr Young, an insurance salesman and keen Thai boxer, died at Wigan General Hospital from head and chest injuries after extensive efforts to revive him failed. He had been visiting his mother and had just left to return home to his girlfriend, Keeley Rogers, and their children, Daniel, aged two, and four-year-old Chloe.

Mr Ellis, who worked with his father for 13 years as a painter and decorator, said: "It's hard to take it all in."

His mother, Margaret, aged 59, added: "If my husband had died of a heart attack perhaps I could have accepted it better."

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton police traffic unit on 0161 856 5972, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.