A 16-year-old cyclist who was killed in a collision with a car in Essex has been named by police.

Daniel Andrew was cycling on Greenstead Road in Colchester, on Friday night, when he was involved in a collision with a silver Mazda saloon.

Daniel, of Goldfinch Close, Colchester, had just finished school and was due to start a bricklaying course.

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released until 2 July.

In a tribute, Daniel's parents Mark Andrew and Amanda Stuart, said: "It just seems surreal to us, almost as if we are talking about it happening to somebody else."

Daniel spent his last day at Sir Charles Lucas School on Friday. He was due to start a bricklaying course at Colchester Institute in September.

A keen sportsman, Daniel had played football for the school. He also enjoyed rugby, weight training and fishing.

Further investigations

His parents continued: "He was a wonderful son, brother and grandson. It will be very hard to come to terms with what has happened."

Police in Colchester have warned local youths, who have responded to Daniel's death by attacking taxis, that there will now be increased police patrols in the area.

A spokeswoman said: "Police are concerned that local youths have demonstrated their grief by causing mindless vandalism and criminal damage.

"In the early hours of Sunday morning taxi drivers came under assault from various items thrown at their cabs."

She said the man arrested in connection with the fatal crash has been released pending further investigations and stressed that he is not a taxi driver.

Essex Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them.