A family have paid tribute to their 17-year-old son, a self-confessed party animal, who died in a motorbike accident.

Simon Cain died from head injuries in Colchester General Hospital following an accident on his bike in Colchester Road, White Colne, in the early hours of Saturday.

He was less than a mile from his home when the accident happened.

Mum Pat and dad Derek with his brothers Grant, Jason, Wayne, Steven and sister Laura all paid tribute to a very popular teenager.

His dad said: "He was a great son but he was also a mate and always had time for everybody.

"I could go for a drink with him and we shared a similar sense of humour, he actually stole a lot of my jokes!"

Simon was a keen footballer who made up in skill whatever he lacked in fitness.

During his first match with Halstead Town's under 18s team, following an 18-month break, he scored a hat-trick, including a goal with his first touch of the ball to secure a 3-1 victory of rivals Brooklands.

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