THE parents of teenager Andrew Edwards said they would do their best to make Christmas special in memory of their football-mad son.

Speaking out for the first time since the 13-year-old Henry Box School pupil was hit by a car and killed in Witney, Nicky and Thomas Edwards said they had found comfort in the hundreds of cards and condolence messages sent to the family.

Andrew was staying with friends on Friday, November 16, and had gone to a nearby garage to buy sweets for a midnight feast - but was knocked over just yards from his home. It was a journey he had made countless times before.

Now, with Christmas around the corner, the family are preparing to put on a brave face for their other son, Alex, 14, who goes to Wood Green School.

Mrs Edwards, 41, of Henry Box Close, Witney, said: "I would not wish this on anyone.

"We are still expecting the door to fly open and for him to throw his bag down on the floor, raid the fridge and then go upstairs and play on his computer.

"We still have Alex to think of, so we want to make Christmas as special as we can."

One of the cards the family treasures most was sent by one of Andrew's former teachers at The Batt School, Witney, asking whether its football league could be renamed the Andrew Edwards Football League in honour of his passion for the game.

Andrew was an avid Liverpool supporter and Nicky and Thomas plan to present trophies at the school's prizegiving ceremony.

School friends wrote a poem superimposed on top of a Liverpool Football Club badge, which sits framed in the living room.

Witney suffered a double tragedy as Andrew's death came just 24 hours after former Henry Box School technology teacher Christine Diacon was knocked over and killed on a slip road off the A40, near her home in High Cogges.

Andrew was a member of the Witney Rifles army cadets and hoped to join the forces.

His funeral at St Mary's Church was attended by members of his cadet corps who marched through the town and stood to attention in honour of their fallen friend.

Mr Edwards, 40, said: "He was quiet at home, but a different lad outside, definitely the clown.

"He was a massive Liverpool supporter and I remember when we were on holiday having something to eat watching football on the big screen and he just got up and started shouting and chanting in front of the whole restaurant.

"He was that kind of lad."

Mrs Edwards added: "He was fun-loving and full of quirky one-liners.

"We would just like to thank everyone for their support."