Sports-mad teenager Nick Leach died while driving home after watching Manchester United's European Cup clash, writes Richard Abbott.

The 18-year-old, of Derwent Road, Bicester, was killed when his blue Metro collided with a railway bridge on Wednesday night.

He had been watching the match at a friend's house but crashed at the junction of Lords Lane and Bucknell Road. He was declared dead at the scene.

Parents Chris and Melanie, both 42, have paid tribute to their "shy and quiet" son, who often made trips north to watch his favourite side, Liverpool. Mr Leach, a British Telecom manager, said: "It was football, football, football with Nick. "When he wasn't playing or watching, he was making up teams for the Fantasy Football leagues.

"He was just a likeable lad, always trying to make other people laugh.

"He was always messing about and being silly, but deep down he was really shy and quiet."

Mrs Leach, a doctor's receptionist, said: "He only passed his driving test on Christmas Eve.

"This has just come as an enormous shock - it's difficult to put into words how we feel. He will be sadly missed."

Nick was studying for A-levels in Chemistry, Biology and Maths at Bicester Community College, Queens Avenue. He had plans to join the Royal Air Force.

"He was very scien- tifically-minded and wanted to join the RAF," said Mrs Leach.

"He liked the idea of going all over the world." Just days before his death, Nick had bought a ticket for a summer rock concert in Milton Keynes, which he planned to attend with friends.

Fellow students have paid their tributes to him by visiting his parents and laying flowers at the scene of the crash.

An inquest into the teenager's death has been opened and adjourned until a future date. His funeral will be held at St Edburg's church, Bicester, on Wednesday.

Police investigating the accident have appealed for witnesses.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact Pc Michael Barrett on 01869 364896.

Story date: Saturday 10 April

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.