The family of a three-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car have described the youngster as 'full of life, full of smiles and laughter'.

Rio Bell received severe head injuries after he was hit by a blue Audi A4 in King Street at 5.30pm on Wednesday, near to the King's Lynn Mart.

The youngster, who lived in Lowestoft, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in King's Lynn, where he died from his injuries.

A family statement, released by Norfolk Police today, said: '[He] was full of life, full of smiles and laughter. He loved playing Mario Kart and playing on his motorbike.

'[It is] such a sad loss for all the family, especially mum and dad. Now a little angel in heaven.'

It comes after prayers were said for the youngster at the Sunday service at King's Lynn Minster and football club Reffley Royals held bucket collection for the boy's family during their Norfolk Junior Cup semi-final clash against Scole United on Saturday.

It also follows 50 protesters linking arms and blocking the road near King's Lynn Mart on Saturday night.

Police allowed protesters to make their point, stopping cars before they reached the blockade to avoid a confrontation.

More than 3,000 people have signed an online petition calling for King Street to be closed while the Mart is in progress for the last two weeks of February on the nearby Tuesday Market Place.

Officials from West Norfolk council, Norfolk County Council, the Mart and police met last Thursday to discuss the accident.

In statements afterwards, both councils said they would await the findings of the police investigation and the inquest into the boy's death, before deciding what lessons could be learned.

Officers have spoken to a number of witnesses and the driver of the car involved in the incident but are still appealing for witnesses to the incident between the Globe Hotel and Prezzo.

It is not clear whether the boy and his family had been to the Mart or were on their way to the fair.

Anyone with information can contact the serious collision investigation team at Wymondham by calling 101.