A MOTHER paid an emotional tribute last night to her 16-year-old son who died after being hit by a car.

Pedestrian Christopher James Hughes, an agriculture student at Wiltshire College, Lackham, had been crossing the A350 in Chippenham, near Lacock, when he was struck by the car at around 7.20pm on Monday.

It is understood he had just completed a milking shift.

When Mr Hughes wasn't at college he lived with his grandmother, Marian Bevan, in Cwmyoy, Abergavenny.

Yesterday his mother, Ros Morgan, 43, of Bridgend, told the Argus that he had left a hole in his family's lives.

She said: "Everyone says their child is special, but Chris really was very special.

"He was larger than life and quite the comedian.

"He had so many friends of all different ages - he just got along with everybody and always wanted to help everyone.

"A lot of teenagers won't show affection, but he was never embarrassed and would always say he loved me at the end of a phone conversation."

Mr Hughes enjoyed playing cricket and rugby, but Mrs Morgan says his biggest passion was farming.

"He was determined to make it in farming," she said.

"He had such drive and ambition."

Chris kept his own flock of Welsh Black sheep, which have won a number of awards and was even awarded pedigree status in 2006.

Mrs Morgan said the family will keep the flock going in his memory.

Wiltshire College and Christ College in Brecon (where Mr Hughes was a former student) both held special memorial services for Chris this week.

There was also a minute's silence at the Cwmyoy Memorial hall last night.

Mrs Morgan said she is also hoping to set up a bursary in her son's name with the Welsh Black Cattle Society.

She added: "Everyone has been totally overwhelmed by the accident. He touched so many people's lives."

Tributes paid to 'superb bloke' CWMYOY community councillor, Jim Keates, said Chris will be greatly missed.

He said: "Chris was just a superb bloke.

"We are a only a small farming community and if anyone ever wanted a hand, Chris would always be the first one there to help."

John Butler, Lecturer in Agriculture and Countryside Management at Wiltshire College, added: "He was a very popular student and was often to be found at the centre of all things to do with agriculture in his group.

"A mature young man for his age, he had a passion for showing farm livestock.

"Chris also loved to play rugby and was vice captain of the college rugby team.

"He will be missed greatly by students and staff alike and will be a sad loss to his chosen industry of agriculture."