The mother of a hitch-hiker who died after being hit by a car has praised police for keeping her well informed throughout the investigation.

Richard Preston, 24, of Leicester, died in hospital after being found by the side of the A34 with serious injuries.

Nigel Plummer, 23, of Appleford Drive, Abingdon, had picked Mr Preston up on the M69 in the Midlands and dropped him off in a lay-by near the Abingdon North slip road on August 16. Mr Plummer criticised the police after trying in vain for six days to give them a statement. But Mr Preston's mother, Shauna, said the police had been "marvellous" and wanted to point out they had kept her family well informed.

"My own point of view and my husband and family's is that they have been very good to us," she said.

She singled out Abingdon traffic police constables Pete Billingham, Gary Froud and Edward McLean for praise. They have been phoning us maybe twice a week. They have informed us step by step of the investigation."

Mrs Preston, of Leicester, revealed that her son was set to become a father in March, and had been excited by the prospect.

But he had "some small disagreement" with his girlfriend and decided to hitch-hike south.

An inquest into Mr Preston's death has been opened and adjourned. No-one has been charged and police investigations are continuing.