A MEMORIAL bench, engraved with an image of a guitar, could become a lasting tribute to a teenager who tragically died after being hit by a van. Matt Dean, 15, died on January 10 following an accident as he walked along the unlit Toseland Road from his ho

A MEMORIAL bench, engraved with an image of a guitar, could become a lasting tribute to a teenager who tragically died after being hit by a van.

Matt Dean, 15, died on January 10 following an accident as he walked along the unlit Toseland Road from his home in High Street, Yelling.

He had been on his way to meet a friend in Toseland when he was struck by a van. Matt died later in hospital.

Pupils and staff at Longsands College, where Matt was a Year 11 student, are now considering putting a memorial bench in the school's courtyard, dedicated to his memory.

He was a keen rock fan and used to play the guitar and had set up a band with a few of his friends in St Neots. The school has also set up an on-line message board on its website to allow friends and teachers to leave their messages.

Deputy headteacher at the college, Rick Carroll, said: "I am very proud of how our pupils have dealt with this tragic and upsetting loss of a dear friend.

"Many of them have clubbed together to buy flowers and others are considering establishing a long lasting memory to Matthew at the school for everyone to remember him by. This could include a bench with a guitar engraved into it but we will look into this in greater detail with Matthew's friends and family after the funeral."

A candle light tribute has already been held in memory of Matt when more than a hundred people of all ages gathered in the Holy Well Church in Yelling on Thursday. A remembrance book was also placed in the church for people to leave their thoughts.

His mother Paula described Matt was an intelligent boy who was predicted to get all A grades in his GCSEs and wanted to study law.

Matt's father Lloyd said this week: "He was a keen sportsman and we would often play football and cricket together and go for walks, all the things a father does with his son."

Matt had two sisters, Sarah, 17, and Nicole, 14, two stepbrothers, Thomas, 14, and Jack, 8, and a half-brother James who is 11-months-old.

Matt's funeral will take place on Thursday at Cambridge Crematorium at 1.30pm.