THE body of a little boy who was knocked down while on a family holiday in Ireland was flown back to the North-East yesterday.

Four-year-old Rio Singh Ranja Potiwal, from Middlesbrough, died after he was hit by a car as his family prepared for a trip to the beach in County Kerry.

Yesterday, family and friends comforted his distraught parents, Bharat Singh and Gurmit Kaur, at their Clarence Road home, in Nunthorpe.

Mr Singh, a businessman in the clothing industry, said: "Rio was so well loved. Everybody loved him, the neighbours, people in the street and teachers at his nursery class, and everybody who met him.

"He was my special little boy. I named him after my favourite footballer, Rio Ferdinand.

"I cannot believe my angel has been taken away from me. I will miss him so much."

The accident happened on Sunday at 5.30pm, when a Peugeot 405 sped past the family's holiday home.

Rio was inside, but ran out to join his sisters Neelam, 11, Simran, nine, and Harveer, five, who were playing outside.

He was struck by the car and thrown into bushes by the side of the road.

Rio was due to join his sisters as a pupil at Nunthorpe Primary School next month.

His death has shocked the communities of Nunthorpe and Listowel, County Kerry, and left his wider family devastated

Rio's aunt, Ounkar Kaur, said: "Our whole world has been shattered.

"We are heartbroken and everyone is devastated. He was a joy to be with and will be sadly missed."

Three men are helping Irish police with their inquiries, but no one has been charged.

The funeral will take place next week.