A DEVASTATED family have paid tribute to a “happy, cheeky” six-year-old who died when he was hit by a car in north Suffolk.

Jonathan Barnes

A DEVASTATED family have paid tribute to a “happy, cheeky” six-year-old who died when he was hit by a car in north Suffolk.

Theo Thompson, of Worlingham, near Beccles, died on Wednesday after a collision with a Mini Cooper in his home village on Saturday night.

His family released a statement today paying tribute to him, saying their lives would never be the same again.

They said: “Our darling son Theo was a happy, cheeky boy, full of energy and life.

“He loved football, cars, bikes and playing at the park - a real boy's boy.

“But he was also a very caring, loving little chap who was sensitive and considerate - he hated seeing other people upset, and he was a fantastic big brother to his little sister Cayla (four) - they were very close to each other.

“Theo had a fantastic, mischievous sense of humour, and his two most outstanding features were definitely his cheeky little grin and his beautiful big brown eyes. He was very photogenic - and he knew it!

“Unusually for a six-year-old, he also had a spiritual side to his nature, and he loved being with all his friends at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Beccles.

“Everybody loved him, and he has touched more hearts than we ever realised. We can't believe that he's gone and our lives will never be the same without him, but we've had so much support and help from family, friends and neighbours.

“We'd also like to express our deep gratitude to the Police, Ambulance Staff, James Paget Hospital and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital who did everything they could for him and us.”