"OUR lives are empty without him."

Those are the heartbreaking words of hit-and-run victim Adam O'Toole's girlfriend Laura Davidson and mum Beverley.

Both women are still coming to terms with their tragic loss, more than a month after his death.

Adam, 18, died after he was hit on a pedestrian crossing on New Hey Road, Salendine Nook, at 10.30am on March 6.

And, as the police investigation entered its sixth week, Laura and Beverley told of their grief yesterday in a desperate appeal for help.

Huddersfield Technical College student Laura, 18, said: "Everyone says to me that time is a healer.

"But you don't heal from losing your life, and that's what has happened to me.

"I'm not living now, just existing."

Beverley, 47, who lived with Adam in Holmbridge, added: "The world I knew has ended.

"Nothing makes sense any more.

"It's hard waking up every morning.

"I just miss him all the time. I keep expecting to see him, to answer the phone to him.

"Life is empty without him."

Police have issued an efit of a man they want to trace.

He is white, in his 20s, with a thin face, prominent nose and long, dark brown, unkempt hair.

They believe he may have been driving an accident-damaged blue Rover.

The hunt has been widened to the Greater Manchester area following tip-offs about cars and people in Oldham and Rochdale.

But the leads now seem to have dried up.

Beverley said: "I can't believe anyone could do anything like this and walk away. He left my son to die."

Laura, who lives in Hade Edge, added: "The next time someone calls the person who did this a man, they need to rethink what they are saying.

"Someone capable of doing what he did is not a man. I hope he hasn't slept since it happened.

"I never really use the word 'hate', but this person has destroyed everything and I hate him for it.

"I hope he understands the pain he has caused, not just to us, but to the whole of the Holme Valley."

Huddersfield New College student Adam, who was a promising rugby player, was aiming to attend Leeds Metropolitan University to study sports.

His ambition was to become a rugby coach.

Laura said that they had talked about spending the rest of their lives together.

She added: "Underneath the big, muscled exterior he was just the nicest, kindest person you could ever come across.

"There are not enough words to describe what I felt for him.

"He called me his princess and he loved me no matter what.

"Adam was someone I saw myself spending the rest of my life with, getting married to and having children with.

"We had already decided what we would call them.

"It's thanks to him that I am where I am."

Beverley said her son, who called her the queen of his heart, got on with everyone.

She added: "He had no airs or graces, he was always the same, day in day out.

"He used to tease people something rotten. He had a wicked sense of humour. He just loved life."

The pair believe there are witnesses who have yet to come forward.

Laura said: "No matter how insignificant you think it is, the information you have may help find Adam's killer."

And, in a direct plea to the guilty man, she added: "If you have any conscience at all, please, please, please hand yourself in and allow us justice for Adam.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you are sorry. That is all I want."

Anyone with information should contact detectives on 01484 436685 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.