The family of Chris McDonald have paid tribute to their "ray of sunshine".

The 20-year-old, of New Road, Burnham, was the driver of a blue Peugeot 206 which was involved in the collision at around 2.30am in Steeple Road, St Lawrence, on Tuesday.

His family released the following in tribute: "He was bought up in Burnham on Crouch and attended St Peter’s School.

"Having left school he went on to Prospects College in Basildon where he was undertaking a course in engineering and machining and had just commenced his third year.

He was working as a mechanic in Latchingdon.

He leaves his mother, his father, together with a teenage brother, and young sister.

His parents have issued a joint statement saying: "He brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of everyone he met.

"He has left a huge void in our lives, a void that will be with us forever.

"He made us smile, laugh and intensely proud. It was always a joy to be with him.

"This is a great loss to us but we will cherish the time we had with him.

"The times we shared with him will remain in our memories forever. Known as ‘gentle giant’ to many, not big in stature, but big in his heart. He would do anything to help anyone out. We love and will miss him so so much."

Police are continuing to investigate the collision and anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on Essex Police 101 or they can email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk