A grieving mother has paid emotional tributes to her "gentle, caring and loving" son who was killed in a road smash on Thorpe Bay seafront.

Andrew Jones, 19, of Kingfisher Close, Shoebury, was driving along Thorpe Esplanade when he lost control of his black Ford Escort and crashed into a lamppost.

His mother Lisa, 37, and her partner Phil, 43, were still coming to terms with the devastating news when they paid tribute to him.

Lisa spoke of his big blue eyes, lovely smile and gentle nature.

She said: "He loved football, fishing and his car. He was a caring person, a loving brother, a loyal friend and a wonderful son and grandson. He made everyone around him laugh."

The nicknames that Andrew picked up while attending Friars Junior School, in Shoebury, and Shoebury High School, were Bones, which derived from his surname Jones, and Big Man.

The latter referred to his height - because at 6ft 5ins his mother explained he was a bit of a gentle giant.

Andrew only started a job as a removals man, for Shoebury firm FA Jones, a few weeks ago.

The last time his mother saw him was on Friday morning before he left for work. He died at in the crash at 5.30am on Saturday.