A DEVASTATED family marked the death of a young boy on the day he would have celebrated his 10th birthday.

Michael Gibson died in a collision with a car on Wellesley Road, Clacton, on February 8.

Parents Kelly and John, brother Joshua, seven, and sister Kayleigh, six, returned to the site to lay wreaths yesterday – the day he would have turned ten.

The family had moved to Clacton from Dagenham, 11 months before his death.

Pam McGuire, Michael’s grandmother, said the family all wear necklaces with his photograph and some of his ashes.

Holding back tears, she said: “I should be taking him out for his birthday, and this is all I can do.

“He was just so loving and so kind. I wish with all my heart that Michael was here with us on his birthday. He touched our hearts and now they are all broken.

“He will never know how missed he is, every day and every minute.

“I wake up and have to relive all the hurt that he is not here, and the hurt starts all over again. Every day is a struggle to live without him.

“He was our world, and it is so hard without him.

“I miss him so much, and I remember the times we watched cartoons together and had a cuddle on the sofa.”

Mrs McGuire described Michael as a loving, caring, helpful boy who was a big part of their lives.

She continued: “Most of all, I miss the kisses and cuddles he always gave to us all. He helped with everything we did. He would make me tea and help me to play games on the Wii.

“I know his friends miss him and love him so much.

“We will never forget, he is always in our broken hearts. I am so proud to have him as my grandson, and I wear his photo with pride.”

There are plans to unveil a bench at Michael’s school, Coppins Green Primary, in his memory.

l Two men were arrested following the collision. A 23-year-old man was released without charge, and a 24-year-old man is on police bail until July.