Emotional tributes have been left on social media after two men were killed in a hit and run incident near Yaxley last week.

Thomas Fletcher, 19, of Meadow Walk, and Thomas Northam, 22, of Lilac Walk, died on January 3 when they were hit by a grey BMW X5 on the B1091 at Farcet.

Taking to Facebook, one user wrote: “RIP lads, your life was too short. You will live on in the hearts of your family and friends forever.”

Another said: “As a parent, I simply cannot comprehend what this must feel like for their families. Just too awful for words.”

Police arrived on site at about 11.15am, along with an air ambulance, but both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Since then, a JustGiving page has been set up in memory of the men, with a target of £5,000 to go towards funeral costs.

More than 200 people donated to the site, with more than £6,000 raised less than week after the incident.

The page said: “Both families are well-known in Farcet and Yaxley and our hearts go out to both their families at this sad time. Our villages are devastated.

“Tom Fletcher and Tom Northam should have been looking forward to a whole life ahead of them, but sadly got taken away too soon. Fly high guys, well loved and well missed by all.”

Others paid their respects on the page, calling the boys “kind souls” with one user saying Thomas Fletcher had helped his eldest son while he had been having issues at school.

Karen Baxter, Thomas Northam’s aunt, added: “Can’t believe how wonderful people have been, messages of support from family and friends are overwhelming, would like to thank everyone.”

MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, has also expressed his condolences.

He said: “This is a terrible tragedy. My thoughts are very much with the friends and family of the two young victims.

“Clearly there are a number of questions that still need to be answered and I very much hope that the police will be able to progress there investigation to find out precisely what happened with this terrible accident.”

A 38-year-old man from Essex has since been arrested and charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Richard Frost, of Dorest Avenue, in Chelmsford, is also charged with two counts of dangerous driving, one count of causing ABH, and one count of common assault.

Frost appeared at Peterborough Magistrates Court on January 6 and was remanded in custody. No pleas were entered. He is set to appear at the city’s crown court on February 17.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.