THE devastated family of Aidan O'Neill have paid tribute to their "fun, cheeky, affectionate" son.

The 12-year-old was tragically killed riding his bike across a footbridge on his way to Poole Grammar School yesterday morning.

Aidan fell from his bike after hitting a metal barrier as he cycled across a footbridge over the Dorset Way.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Aidan's father, Steve, 50, said: "He was just such fun, he had a naturally smiley face, a very sunny disposition, he had a great capacity for empathy and always put himself in someone else's position.

"If they wanted a laugh he'd make them laugh, if they needed a cuddle he'd give him a cuddle."

Steve said Aidan loved nature, cycling, swimming and rugby. He used to go birdwatching with his grandfather, Ted Brown.

The former Canford Heath First and Oakdale Middle School pupil also loved dramatic, performing and amateur dramatics and in school plays.

Read the full tribute piece in tomorrow's Daily Echo.