The family of a teenager who was stabbed to death in Chelmsford on Thursday have paid tribute to him.

Ashley Woolley, 18, was attacked in Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, just after 3.15pm. He was taken by ambulance to Broomfield Hospital where he later died.

In a statement, Mr Woolley’s family said: “Thank you to everyone who has shown care and compassion for our son Ashley as it means so much to us as a family. Ashley was born and raised in Chelmsford and he lived life to the full. He enjoyed, amongst other things, Free Running, which would fill us with fear in case he broke something.

“Ashley’s ambition in life was to finish college and to go on to university along with his loving girlfriend Charlotte who was always there to help and support him and she is devastated by the loss of Ashley. Ashley’s amazing smile would light up any room that he came into and he leaves behind a loving family who have lost a part of them that can never be filled.

“At 3pm on that tragic day Ashley’s dad Trevor was wrapping Ashley’s presents ready for Christmas but now sadly we will never see the pleasure of him opening these presents as well as the presents he would have received from his family.

“Ashley would not want any of us to be sad but at this time it’s impossible not to be.

“We would like to thank Ashley’s many friends and family that have made fantastic comments on a Facebook tribute page set up by Ashley’s best friend in memory of our son.

“We, the family, would also like to thank all of Ashley’s friends who turned up to remember him at the place where he was sadly taken from us.

“It was very humbling for the family to see all the people that turned up to lay flowers and tributes to Ashley and made us realise how much our son was loved and respected.

“Ashley would have been 19 years old on December 30 and this is a birthday that we will never see. It was planned on his birthday that Ashley’s dad was going to give him the gift of driving lessons.

“Ashley leaves a brother Paul who we know he loved very much and who was a major part in Ashley’s life.”

Mr Woolley was a business student at Chelmsford College, which has offered counselling services to other students and staff over the Christmas break.

Principal Andy Sparks said: “Ashley was well liked by both students and teaching staff. The college community is shocked and upset by this tragic loss.

“Since the news of the tragedy broke tributes to Ashley have been flooding in which is testament to his popularity.”

A 17-year-old from Chelmsford has been charged with murder and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place following Mr Woolley’s death.