THE family of a promising young jockey killed in a road accident during a freak thunderstorm have spoken of their loss.

Neil Hill, 19, was one of the most promising young riders at the famous North Yorkshire stables of Ferdy Murphy.

His family, from Langley Park, near Durham City, learned of his death while on holiday in Marbella, Spain.

He was killed when his VW Golf collided head-on with another car during a thunderstorm on the A6108 near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on Sunday.

He was on his way to visit his family, at Willow Park, to see them before their holiday.

His father, Neil, said he was a loving and caring lad who lived for horses. He added: "We heard about Neil's accident while on the first day of our holiday. It was just terrible.

"There had been an horrific thunderstorm and he hadn't seen the wet on the road.

"It's hard to believe he's gone. He always had a smile on his face and was full of fun."

Inheriting his love of all things equestrian from his father, Neil was a former pupil of St Leonard's RC Comprehensive, Durham City, whose one ambition was to work with horses.

A regular competitor at national showjumping tournaments, he will also be sadly missed by Ferdy Murphy.

Paying tribute to his dedicated protg, the trainer said: "It's a terrible waste of a cracking young lad.

"He was one of those lads who'd turn up for work earlier that the rest. He was a good little rider and had done a fair bit of showjumping, and horses ran and jumped for him"

His family, including mother Margaret and sister Claire, 17, are holding his funeral this morning at St Michael's RC Church, Esh Laude, at 9.30am.