A TEENAGER who died after his off-road motorbike crashed in woodland near his home has been named.

Ben Hart, 17, a former pupil at Maidstone's Astor of Hever School, had been riding his bike in Oaken Wood, Barming, near Maidstone, when the accident happened last Saturday afternoon. He died later at Maidstone Hospital.

In a statement, his distraught parents, from Barming, said: "We are deeply upset at the tragic death of Ben. He was a much loved son and brother who will be greatly missed by all his family and friends."

Aileen Halstead, a former head of year at Astor of Hever School, paid tribute to "a lovely boy" who had been popular with pupils and staff.

She said: "He was just one of those boys who always had a smile on his face and who was popular with his peers and a pleasure to be around. It is dreadful news."

Police are appealing for witnesses as they try to piece together the events leading up to the accident which happened at about 2.20pm.

Police, who say Ben had been with a group of friends riding their motorcycles in the wood, a popular area for off-road riding, want to hear from anyone nearby at the time of the accident.

They particularly want to hear from a couple, aged about 60, seen walking their dogs along the road between the water tower and Kiln Park Road.