THE family of an Abergavenny teenager killed in a road crash have paid tribute to "a beloved son, brother, grandson and friend".

Samuel Meredith, of Wern Gifford, Pandy, died after his white Peugeot 206 left the A465 in Herefordshire on October 13.

Police believe Mr Meredith had been attempting to overtake a blue vehicle when he lost control of his car and veered off the carriageway as he made his way home.

The 17-year-old, an apprentice mechanic, died as a result of his injuries. Almost two weeks on, and following his funeral on Friday, his mother, Pauline Meredith, said: "Sam lived his life to the full.

"He crammed so much into his seventeen years and if he wasn't working or motorbike trialing with his friends, he was busy servicing buses for his uncle's bus company - he never stopped.

"Sam was a wonderful son, grandson and brother to Alex." The youngster's dream was to run his own bus and minibus company. His father, John, added: "Sam was very popular, he was known by so many from Brynmawr to Hereford.

"He always liked a good laugh and was great fun to be with and I know that his family will not be the only ones who miss him." Mrs Meredith spoke of her future without her son.

She said: "We are living each day as it comes at the moment. "We all feel Sam's loss but feel blessed to have had seventeen wonderful years with him.

"Time never heals, but we hope that we can learn to cope with life without him in our own, personal ways."

Police are continuing to appeal for information on the circumstances that led to Sam's car leaving the carriageway on the A465 at Didley on October 13 at around 6.30pm.

In particular, they are appealing to the driver of a blue vehicle who is believed to have been driving in front of Sam when his car left the road. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Adrian Davies at Hereford Police Station on 08457 444888.