A teenager who had dreams of joining the Army has been described as a “kind, young man with a big smile and big personality” following his sudden death this week.

The heartbroken family of 17-year-old fitness enthusiast William Horley say he was a typical teenager “full of life” with an “exciting future ahead of him”.

The former Herne Bay High School pupil died at the QEQM Hospital in Margate on Monday.

His mother, Kim, of Fitzgerald Avenue, Hampton, says he had been accepted to start training with the Army’s Royal Artillery Corps in October, having just completed public services studies at Canterbury College.

“He had wanted to join the Army since he was a little boy,” she said. “He had an exciting future ahead of him.

“It’s such a tragic waste and we are all devastated.”

William, who was 6ft 6ins tall and a keep fit and boxing enthusiast, had a part-time job in the kitchen at the Lobster Shack in Whitstable.

He had been working at the popular venue during the Oyster Festival on Sunday, but was taken ill on Monday morning and rushed to hospital.

'It’s such a tragic waste and we are all devastated...'

His death the same day sparked a wave of tributes from friends on Facebook.

Kim said: “He was a very determined young man who was full of life and a typical teenager.

“He loved everything to do with keeping fit because he knew it would prepare him for the Army.

“He was also a member of City Boxing Canterbury and I’m sure would have liked to continue his boxing when he joined up.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made.