A boy who was killed in a crash in the early hours of Saturday has been named by police. 

Connor Thompson was the passenger in a Land Rover Freelander, which was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Norton, in Stockton.

The 15-year-old's family have paid tribute to him as a "dearly loved" son, brother and uncle. 

His family released a picture of the youngster today.

Read more: Man due in court following fatal Norton collision

In a statement they said: “Connor was a dearly loved son, brother and uncle. We are a large and close-knit family and Connor was loved by all of us.

“It is heartbreaking to lose him at such a young age. He will be missed by so many people and we all have special memories of him that we will hold close.

“As a family we will all need to support each other in our grief. We ask for privacy as we remember Connor together.”

The crash happened in Junction Road, Norton, at about 5.47am on Saturday.

The driver of the Land Rover Freelander is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving. 

Brandon Jefferson-Howe, 20, of Trefoil Court, also faces two other driving offences. 

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here