THE grieving family of ten-year-old hit-and-run victim Sean Hamilton have paid poignant tributes to “a popular boy who was full of fun”.

Masses of floral tributes were laid at the scene of the crash that claimed his life on Holgate Road. Hundreds of messages flooded in from friends, family, and all those that knew and loved football-mad Sean.

A tribute page has been set up on the social networking site Facebook, where more than 400 messages were posted remembering the popular youngster and offering words of support for the family.

In a joint statement, Sean’s mother and father, Sharon and Ronnie, of Linnet Way, Foxwood, York, said: “The loss of our son has left a huge void in our hearts.

“Sean was the youngest of our four children, leaving behind two sisters, Kerry-Ann, 18, and Stephanie, 12, and brother Ryan, 16.

“Sean was always full of fun and was always laughing and joking. He was a very popular boy who was liked by everyone who knew him.

“Sean was very keen on sport, in particular football and rugby.

“It will take a long time to even come to terms with what has happened to Sean, but we are truly grateful to our family, friends and the local community for all the love and support we have received.”

Sean died after being struck by a van as he was crossing Holgate Road at 8pm on Saturday. The news was broken to his fellow Year Six pupils at Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Acomb, in a special assembly yesterday. Head teacher Derek Sutherland said: “The pupils, staff, parents and governors send our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Sean’s family and his friends.

“We keep them in our thoughts and prayers. He will be very sadly missed.”

Father Pat Smith, of The Church of Our Lady in Acomb, later joined pupils and staff to light a candle for the ten-year-old.

“It was to remind ourselves of the light and goodness which Sean brought into the lives of all the other children who knew him,” he said. “It was very tearful but very peaceful.

“The headmaster also said we should remember the good things about him and we tried to get across to the children the fact that he was at peace now.”

Fr Smith described Sean, whom he knew from his family’s involvement with his church, as “bright, cheerful and popular”.

Family and friends are set to don Manchester United shirts to Sean’s funeral, in recognition of his favourite football team.