The parents of PC Mike Silcock have pleaded for help to bring his ‘cowardly’ killers to justice on the first anniversary of his death.

Mike, 30, died in a hit-and-run crash outside the Frog and Railway pub on Didsbury Road, Heaton Mersey, on March 6 last year, shortly before 11.30pm.

Although four men – aged, 29, 24, 19 and 21 – were arrested on suspicion of murder, 12 months on they remain on bail and no one has been charged with the death.

This week his heartbroken parents, Glynn and Ann, appealed for information and spoke about the trauma of the last year.

Glynn said: "We were all enjoying life and were very much looking forward to continuing all the normal things families do. All that is now gone.  The last year has been extremely difficult. We could have reconciled his death through illness or even in a genuine road accident where the driver had the basic human decency to stop. But for our son, a good and decent young man, to die a horrific death at the hands of cowardly criminals is disgraceful and unbearable. We know there are people out there who can assist with essential evidence. They should consider how they would feel if they lost a son or daughter."

Mike, who lived in Reddish and served with Greater Manchester Police, was hit by a yellow BMW, registration MM51 VOH, which sped from the scene, leaving him lying in the road.

He was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital but died of head injuries a short time later, with his family at his bedside.

A £10,000 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to a woman who phoned police in the days after Mike’s death.

She provided vital verbal information but has since not replied to any contact.

Other people are also known to hold vital information that can help the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Mary Doyle, from the major incident team, said: "It’s now been a year that Mike’s family has had to live, not only with his death, but also with the fact that their son’s killer has still not been brought to justice. We can fully protect any witnesses who come forward."

Anyone with information can contact police on 856 8259 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.