A hit-and-run driver who knocked down and killed a grandmother in Blackburn has had an appeal bid failed.

Salim Chand had applied to appeal against his nine-year sentence for killing Freda Holt in November last year and then fleeing the scene and trying to hide the car.

But at a brief hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, Chand’s appeal was refused.

Det Insp Brian King, who led the investigation, went to the hearing on behalf of Mrs Holt’s husband Ray and his family.

Chand was not present, but his sisters and a cousin attended.

Mr Holt said: “Apparently the judge said that although the sentence was quite severe, it was justified.

“It is a relief. I’ve been assured that’s it now and his release date is May 2015.

"He’ll be on license for a further four-and-a-half years when he comes out and if he breaks those conditions he’ll be back inside.

“The rest of the family are content that he will do the time the judge said he had to under our justice system.

“I was working on my allotment when I got the news. I thought I’d be ecstatic but I just felt flat.

“Freda won’t be forgotten but it doesn’t bring her back.

"Her anniversary is in a couple of weeks, but I don’t know what I’m going to do.

"I’m just glad this isn't hanging over me.”

Despite being disqualified, Chand was driving a hired £70,000 Mercedes C63 at speeds up to 70mph when he ploughed into Mrs Holt, a devout churchgoer, outside her Revidge Road home on the morning of November 8.

He was on bail for a charge of dealing cannabis at the time and had a string of motoring convictions.

He was jailed in March.