TRIBUTES have been paid to a 11-year-old boy who was killed as he crossed a pedestrian crossing.

Ashley Orley was struck by a Jaguar as he made his way across the crossing on the A179 Hart Lane in Hartlepool, just 300m north of Tarnston Lane.

The youngster sustained serious head and chest injuries as a result of the accident, which happened at around 5.40pm on Monday, and was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Last night, Jean Hart, headteacher of Throston Primary School in Hartlepool, where Ashley was a pupil paid tribute to the youngster whose passion was football.

Ashley, from the Throston Grange area of Hartlepool, joined the school in 1997, the same time as Mrs Hart, and she had witnessed first hand his development over the past seven years.

She said: "Everyone at the school is absolutely stunned. Ashley was a lovely boy with a great sense of humour and was very popular throughout the whole school.

"He loved his football and his favourite players were David Beckham and Michael Owen.

"Our thoughts are at this moment with Ashley's family who will be devastated following this tragedy."

The school is expected to pay tribute to Ashley in their own special service.

The accident happened on a single carriageway stretch of the road at the pedestrian crossing, which had guard rails either side of it.

At the moment it is believed a number of children, of similar age, were on one side of the carriageway in the process of crossing. The exact manner in which they were crossing the road is not known.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident to contact them with any information they may have.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact PC John Webb, of Cleveland Police's road traffic unit, on (01642) 301580.

An inquest is expected to be opened by Hartlepool coroner Malcolm Donnelly in the next few days.