Family and friends have been left devastated by the sudden death of a popular, football-mad teenager who collapsed at work.

Chef Ellis Martin, 19, from Whitstable suffered a brain haemorrhage while working at the Le Petit Poisson in Herne Bay.

The former Whitstable Community College pupil was rushed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital but never regained consciousness and died the following day.

The tragedy happened last Tuesday leaving his mum Stacey and brothers and sister Alex, 23, Taylor, 22, Conor, 11, Owen, 10 and Madison, 8, distraught and grief-stricken.

They live with single mum Stacey, 42, a carer, in St Francis Close, who said they were all struggling to come to terms with losing him.

“It has devastated us all and can just can’t sleep for thinking about him. I don’t think it has really sunk in with his younger brothers and sisters" - Mum Stacey

She said: “It happened out of the blue and we just couldn’t believe it because he was a fit, health boy who had never had an problems.

“I just got a call from his work saying he had collapsed and been taken to hospital.

“I went straight over there with my two older boys but did not know how serious it was until we saw him and spoke to the doctors.

“They said he had suffered an aneurysm which had led to a brain haemorrhage and he was seriously ill.

“He was going to be transferred to Kings College Hospital but they said there was nothing they could do for him.

"The doctors and hospital staff were brilliant but they couldn’t do anything to bring him back. It was heartbreaking but the next day they had to turn off his life support.

“It has devastated us all and can just can’t sleep for thinking about him. I don’t think it has really sunk in with his younger brothers and sisters.

After leaving school, Ellis studied catering at East Kent College in Broadstairs while working at JoJo’s in Whitstable. He then joined Le Petit Poisson in January this year.

Stacey said: “He loved cooking and always watched the cookery programmes on television and hoped to develop his career.

“Ellis was a super young man with great potential as a chef - so much so that he had recently been promoted to my deputy" - Head chef at le Petit Poisson, Dennis Van Meir

“I would just like to thank everyone who have been so kind and supportive while we are struggling to come to terms with losing him.”

Head chef at le Petit Poisson, Dennis Van Meir said has watched the tragedy unfold as Ellis collapsed at work.

He said: “One minute he was his usual happy self, chatting about football as always, and the next he was obviously seriously ill. It was very upsetting to see.

“Ellis was a super young man with great potential as a chef - so much so that he had recently been promoted to my deputy.

“We saw a real change in him as he grew in confidence and he was so happy to have got the promotion and a pay rise. He was also looking forward to a work experience opportunity I had arranged for him with a colleague in Antwerp.

“He had a great future and we miss him very much. But he will always be here in spirit.”

Numerous friends have left messages of sadness and sympathy for Ellis following his untimely death.

Dan Ambrose wrote: “You were an important person during my school years. You was one of the lads I met that I got along with in my form.

“You always made my morning start better with laughs and the memories will never be forgotten. It isn’t fair what happened. God bless RIP.”

Hayden Mitchell wrote: “You were such a character that you couldn’t help but like. You made me laugh and had such an impact on my life and that will live with me.”

Craig Luke said: “So sad to see such a nice person go so young but he will always be missed.”

Nicole Foad wrote: “Nothing is going to be the same without you here. Everyone is missing you. You’ve had such an impact on everyone’s lives. Never forgotten, we all love you. Sleep tight xxxxx.”

Ellis’s brother Taylor wrote: “I don’t know how to thank everyone that has gone and had a drink for my brother. It means a lot to me and my family.”

Ellis was a passionate Liverpool supporter and keen footballer who used to play for Tankerton when he was younger.

Now his brothers and friends have organised a football match in his memory which will take place at the Community College at 4pm on Saturday, December 12 when dozens of people will gather to remember him.

His funeral is on Tuesday, December 15 at 1.15pm at St Alphege Church in the town, followed by a burial at the town’s cemetery at 2.15pm. A wake is being held at The Wall Tavern afterwards.