The family of a Trowbridge teenager killed when his car crashed on a village road in the early hours of Sunday have asked mourners at his funeral in Keevil today to wear colourful clothing and sports tops.

Sam Young, 19, from Kingsdown Road, Trowbridge, apparently lost control of his Peugeot on the B3098 from Erlestoke to Edington at about 3am.

His car struck a tree before ending up in a field. Mr Young was pronounced dead at the scene.

This week his family released a statement, after his mother Debbie Frowde was too upset to speak to the Wiltshire Times.

The statement, from his mother, father and stepfather, read: “We cannot believe we have lost our precious son Sam at such a young age. He was a loving son and brother to Lucy.

“We are still trying to come to terms with the whole incident and ask to be able to grieve in peace.”

Mr Young worked part-time behind the bar at the Black Horse pub in Frome Road and was a student at the City of Bath College where he was studying for a BTEC in sport.

The Wiltshire Times understands Mr Young’s father and two brothers Tobie, 12 and James, 17, live in Singapore. He also had a sister Lucy, 21, who lived at home in Trowbridge until recently.

Craig Yelland, 18, from Wiltshire Drive, Trowbridge, grew up with Mr Young and was one of his close group of friends from Clarendon College, where he took his GCSEs.

He said: “He was the best friend you could have, and if I could turn back time just to say ‘hi’ to him one more time then I would.

“We were all good school mates and we hung around together all the time. Things I will remember about him are his cheeky sense of humour.

“If one of us was sent out for doing something naughty then the other one would do something too.”

Mr Yelland last saw his friend on the Saturday evening, when they were celebrating another friend’s 19th birthday before Mr Young left to see his girlfriend. Mr Yelland said: “There was a group of us at school and we were all really close. Sam liked sport and he was always up for a drink and a laugh.”

Marcello Griffin, 19, also from Wiltshire Drive, was another of Mr Young’s closest friends at school.

He said: “Me and Craig used to meet in our road and then walk down to Sam’s together.

“Sam was a big character and had a big impact on people’s lives. People wouldn’t ever forget him once they had met him, he was so popular.”

“If there was a big crowd around then you know Sam would be right in the middle of it.

“I got my job at the Black Horse because of him. We always looked out for each other.”

Mr Young’s funeral will take place today at 12.30pm at St Leonard’s Church in Keevil, where he grew up.

His family have asked for donations in his memory instead of flowers, sent via Bowyers funeral directors, with the money going to buy sports equipment for Keevil Primary School and Clarendon College.

The service will be followed by a wake at the Black Horse pub.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned in Salisbury on Tuesday.

*Work colleagues, football club team mates and Sam Young’s former teachers said they were shocked to learn of the tragedy this week.

Mr Young most recently worked part-time behind the bar at the Black Horse pub in Trowbridge, and had also worked at Sports World and Asda in The Shires.

Dick Harris, his former head of year at the Clarendon College, said: “He was a very friendly and entertaining young man and will be deeply missed.”

Ron Surgey, his former manager at Sports World, said: “Sam was always bubbly and jokey, but he was also a hard worker. Since he left, he’s always made an effort to say ‘hello’. It’s such a shame when someone dies so young.”

Former Asda colleague and schoolfriend Liam Milburn, 19, of Barn Glebe, Trowbridge, said: “Sam made an impact on everyone who ever knew him, no matter how long they knew him, be it a minute, a day, weeks or years. Once you’d met him, you’d never forget him.”

Pat Whyte, 51, the coach at Westbury United FC, where Mr Young played for the youths, reserves and first team, said: “He was a lovely lad, you couldn’t ask for a nicer bloke. He was a player that any manager would love to have in their team. It’s a terrible shame and a great loss.”

Mr Young had also played a few games for Chippenham Sunday League side Westbury Rangers.