A 58-year-old Spalding man, who was driving a silver Honda Prelude, reported that he believed he had hit a pedestrian on Whipchicken Road at 11.25pm.

Emergency services arrived and found Mr Malton's body in a ditch by the side of the road, which is just off the A1073.

The driver of the car was shocked but not injured.

Mr Malton (32) lived in Crowland with his partner and is believed to have two children.

It is not known why he was walking down the country lane, which has no lights. Whipchicken Road is said to be popular among dog walkers.

Road diversions were set up while Mr Malton's body was recovered and these were lifted at 3.30am yesterday.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area and saw Mr Malton or who saw the Honda Prelude in the time leading up to the incident, which happened just off the B1166 and about 300 yards south of the junction with the A1073 near St James Farm.

Mr Malton is the 15th person to die on Lincolnshire's roads so far this year, compared to 28 people at the same time last year.

Anyone with information about this accident should contact Lincolnshire Police on 01522 558855.