FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a young construction worker from Kent who died when he was struck by a car on the A3 in Surrey.

The victim, 22-year-old Andrew Base, lived at Old Gate Road at Faversham. His death came just six months after his father, Terry, died from a heart condition.

Andrew's mother Susan said: “It hasn’t sunk in yet. We are just numb. Andrew was loving, caring and fun-loving. Just a normal guy. We are very grateful to all the friends who have sent cards and flowers.”

Andrew was a former pupil at Davington Primary School, Faversham, and the town's Abbey School. He played football for the Courtenay Rangers from Boughton in the Herne Bay Sunday League.

Steve Lee-Alliston, chairman of the club, said: “He was a very likeable lad, a very good footballer who had been with the club for many years. His father was involved with the club too. It’s very sad.”

Andrew trained as a mechanic but changed careers and was studying website design. He took the job as a construction worker to pay for his studies.

His sister Claire said: “He was well-known and liked. He lived in Faversham nearly all his life.”

Andrew also leaves a brother, Christopher, 25, and a long-term girlfriend. About 300 friends and family attended his funeral in Charing.

Surrey police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which happened on the A3 at Esher Common, on Wednesday, December 21.

An inquest is to be held.