A primary school is opening its doors today to help youngsters cope with the death of a school friend.

Carol Leverett, headteacher of Cressing County Primary School, decided to make the move after the death of nine-year-old Philip Tilbury, of The Street, Cressing, who died on Saturday after suffering fatal head injuries in a car crash.

Both Philip and his younger brother Stephen eight, attended the village school.

The school, which closed for the summer holidays on Friday, will now be reopened today for any children who want to talk to someone.

Mrs Leverett paid tribute to the youngster: "Philip was one of our stars and we are all deeply shocked at this tragic news. Philip was a delightful boy, with a very promising future.

"His intelligence, good humour and sunny personality made him a popular pupil and I cannot remember him ever complaining about anything. Philip always thought the best of others and enjoyed everything the school had to offer.

"He acted in our pantomime at Christmas, played football and had been learning to play the clarinet. Just two weeks ago he gave his first public performance at our musical evening."

The family were active members of Cressing Evangelical Church and Philip used to attend the Sunday school which his mother Wendy Tilbury supervised.

The Rev Dennis Ivey, said: "It is a terrible accident and the support by people in the village has been absolutely tremendous.

"People are very upset and parents are giving their own children extra hugs this week. Philip was at typical little boy, Dennis the menace, he was bright, lively, caring, all rolled into one. He lived his life to the full.

"If it was sunny outside he would be playing football, if it was raining he would jump in the puddles. He was a very popular boy, we will all miss him."

Philip was rushed to Broomfield hospital, in Chelmsford after the accident at 7.30pm on Friday in Boars Tye Road. He was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital later that night but died the next day.

His father David, 56 who was driving the car, also suffered injuries and is still being treated for a fractured pelvis in Broomfield hospital.

His brother Stephen, also passenger in the car at the time of the collision, is said to have been unhurt.

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