TRIBUTES continued today in memory of tragic teenager Daniel Andrew - who was killed just hours after his last day at school.

TRIBUTES continued today in memory of tragic teenager Daniel Andrew - who was killed just hours after his last day at school.

The 16-year-old died when he was in collision with a car as he cycled along Greenstead Road, Colchester, on Friday at 7.15pm.

His grieving parents Mark Andrew and Amanda Stuart said today he was a “wonderful” boy who would be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

“Daniel was suddenly and tragically taken from us,” the couple said in a statement. “It just seems surreal to us, almost as if we are talking about it happening to somebody else.

“He loved sport and had played football for the school. He also enjoyed rugby, weight training and fishing.

“He was such a popular lad and had so many friends. We know he will be sorely missed by everybody.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their kind wishes and messages of sympathy. He was a wonderful son, brother and grandson and it will be very hard to come to terms with what has happened.”

Daniel, who lived with his mother in Goldfinch Close, had his last day at St Charles Lucas School on Friday and was due to start at Colchester Institute in September on a bricklaying course.

He died when his bicycle was in collision with a silver Mazda saloon car and a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on police bail until July 2.

Hundreds of tributes - some attached to flowers, some written in felt tip on road signs, and one on a skateboard that used to belong to the teenager - were displayed as part of a makeshift shrine in his memory on a piece of land between Greenstead Road and the A133 roundabout.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the car involved in the collision was not a taxi cab or private hire vehicle - amid concerns that local youths have been expressing their grief through acts of vandalism.

He said this behaviour would not be tolerated and that officer patrols would be increased in the Greenstead area.

The warning comes after reports from several taxi drivers that various items were thrown at their cabs in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officers are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash or have information that could assist the investigation.

Anyone who thinks they can help should contact Stanway Road Policing Unit on 01206 762512.