The family of a youngster killed in a supermarket car park are planning to campaign for better facilities at the site.

Leon Beal, 12, was killed after being hit by a vehicle as he rode his BMX through Somerfield supermarket's car park in Corringham.

Paramedics and firefighters battled to lift the vehicle off his body but he was dead on arrival at Basildon Hospital.

Now Leon's father Robert, of Howell Road, Corringham, wants supermarket bosses to take responsibility for what happened.

The 41-year-old said: "A lot of people agree the car park is poorly lit and very poorly designed. It could be improved a great deal and I will be getting up a petition to try to get something done about it.

"It's been misleading ever since it was built. It's a very difficult car park to use because all the shoppers and visitors to the supermarket use its one little entrance.

"The point where Leon was knocked down as he rode through the car park to come home for tea is also in shadow."

Robert said himself, his wife Nuala and daughter Jemma, 14, were still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Leon's funeral was held on Friday at St Mary's Church in Corringham and attended by scores of friends and family. Pals from Gable Hall Comprehensive lined Southend Road to pay their last respects.

Mr Beal said: "It was very comforting to see so many people and made an unbearable day more bearable. Leon would have said 'that was nice of them, wasn't it?'"

A spokeswoman for Somerfield said: "Just after the accident the area was surveyed by our health and safety executive.

"Police inquiries are still ongoing and whatever recommendations they come up with we will put into action."

Heartbreak - Leon Beal, right, poses for a family snap with sister Jemma, 14, and brother Ben, six

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