A KENT school set up counselling and supporting services today after news broke of the tragic death of a popular former student. Pedestrian Andy Holmes, 17, died when he was struck by a car near Flatfoot Sams nightclub in Ashford.

The principal of Homewood School, Tenterden, Derek Adam said: "Both staff and students are enormously upset and saddened at this tragedy and we have had to send some students home. Andy Holmes left the school last year after successfully gaining nine GCSEs."

Andy, a trainee garage mechanic from Ashford, had been a leading figure in the Year 11 Proms and a member of the school football squad.

Det Chief Inspector Brian Roberts, senior investigating officer from the Major Crime Department, confirmed that police were treating the incident, which happened shortly before 1.30am today, as a suspicious death.

The driver of a blue VW Polo involved was another Ashford teenager. DCI Roberts said: "An 18 year-old Ashford man is currently in custody at Ashford police station in connection with this incident," Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to telephone 01233 611055.