THE family, fianc�e and friends of a teenager who died when his car left a road in West Norfolk as he travelled home from Upwell on Saturday paid tribute to a loving, happy lad last night.Thomas Jay Williams, known to friends and family as Tom, died afte

THE family, fianc�e and friends of a teenager who died when his car left a road in West Norfolk as he travelled home from Upwell on Saturday paid tribute to a loving, happy lad last night.

Thomas Jay Williams, known to friends and family as Tom, died after his car crashed into a field in Stow Bardolph, near Downham Market, when he was travelling home from a party in Upwell.

The teenager was driving three friends when the accident happened on Barroway Drove at around 1.15am. One of his passengers was left with serious arm and leg injuries.

His parents Stephen Williams and Oriel Wells spoke of their pride in their intelligent son who had a passion for cars and motorbikes.

The 19-year-old, who lived with his father in Ryston, had only passed his driving test last year, but enjoyed travelling along the country lanes with his friends and his fianc�e Louise Hakin.

Ms Wells said: "Tom loved his independence. He loved his freedom."

"I think his aim was just for everybody to be happy. I think he could have had a car workshop. When he was little he was always taking things apart and putting them back together. He would tinker with his television. He would take it apart just to find out what was in there."

The 6ft 5in teenager grew up around Downham Market and went to Denver Primary School and Clackclose Primary School, before moving to Downham Market High School.

A West Ham fan, he and his father had been hoping to travel to Upton Park to watch a match together.

Mr Williams said: "I've not just lost my son, I've lost my best friend."

"Until a few years ago, he spent a lot of time on the river bank coarse fishing with me. He just enjoyed being there. He was always into nature and wildlife. A lot of it was him pitting himself against the fish and being with his dad and also trying to beat his dad."

He also said that although he did not always get on at school, he was an intelligent lad.

"He would sit and watch wildlife programmes. He knew so many facts. He interrogated people and he had to be right.

"He loved his music. Fast cars and fast motorbikes, they've got to be his biggest passion."

Since his death on Saturday, more than 600 people have joined Facebook group in his memory.

His 15-year-old sister Jasmine, said: "He could meet someone for the first time and within an hour he would be their friend.

"He was the best brother anyone could have. If anyone hurt me he would protect me. He was like a big brother to everyone in Downham Market."

"The hugs he gave were full of love. You felt so safe and that no-one would hurt you when you were in his arms. He loved people for who they were."

His fianc�e, Louise Hakin, 18, said they had met four months ago. She described how he would take her off on trips and how they had got lost when they had visited Cambridge together.

Ms Wells said: "When he walked into a room, he would fill the room. On Saturday we had 50 people through the house - it took 50 people to make it that full.

"He was the loveliest lad you could meet. He was one in a million."

Tom Williams' funeral takes place at St Edward's Church in Downham Market at 12.30pm on March 23.