The devastated parents of tragic crash victim Steve Simpson have paid tribute to their lively and much-loved son.

Steve, who was just 17, suffered massive injuries and later died in hospital after being hit by a car while trying to cross the A127 on Saturday night.

His parents Steve and Angela, of Theydon Crescent, Basildon, have been inundated with hundreds of calls, visits and cards from distraught friends of "Bobby", as he was always known.

Steve (senior), 41, said: "So many people have been round here - we as parents really didn't realise how many people he had touched the lives of."

Bobby was an award-winning kickboxer and boxer and a committed Christian. He had worked at several jobs and was due to start a new job at Argos yesterday.

Angela, 40, said: "He always had a thing about looking good, that's why he wanted to work in sales."

Steve said: "He was just such a loveable person - cheeky, but he got away with it. There's lots of hurt at the moment."

Bobby's funeral will be arranged after the police release his body.

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