A POPULAR youth worker, who died following a car accident will be remembered in a memorial football tournament.

Imran Yaseen, from Middlesbrough, died in hospital more than a week after he was thrown from the passenger seat of a car which was involved in an accident with a lorry parked on the hard shoulder of the A1(M) near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on May 12.

He was airlifted with head injuries to Newcastle General Hospital, where he later died.

The 24-year-old is greatly missed at Middlesbrough's North Ormesby Youth and Community Centre, where he worked as a youth leader.

All Middlesbrough Council youth clubs will field a team for the Imran Yaseen Memorial Shield, which will be played for at a seven-aside tournament on Monday.

North Ormesby Community Centre manager Iris Jenkins said: "We are still reeling from the shock of Imran's death. He was immensely popular with staff and the young people he worked with.

"He was extremely enthusiastic, with an infectious smile.

"He was not the most punctual of people, but he always will be remembered. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.''

North Ormesby Football Club officials who are North Riding County-qualified are giving their time to referee the matches. The winning team and runners-up will also receive medals.