Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a young boy who was struck and killed by lightning in Blackpool.

Flowers and football shirts have been left at the Spirit of Youth Junior Football Club after the tragic event last night (May 11).

Several police vehicles and an air ambulance were called to the pitches off School Road in Blackpool shortly after 5pm to reports that a child had been injured.

Paramedics took the boy to hospital with serious injuries, but he died a short while later.

Spirit of Youth FC paid tribute to the boy, who died at their home ground at Common Edge playing fields.

A statement from Spirit of Youth FC said: "It is with deepest regret that we have to report the news that the young boy who was struck by lightning earlier this evening has sadly passed away.

Bouquets of flowers have been left at the scene at Common Edge
Bouquets of flowers have been left at the scene at Common Edge

"The tragic incident happened on our home ground at Common Edge playing fields but it was not during a club training session.

"As a club, we are heartbroken and we offer our deepest condolences to the boy’s family.

"Spirit of Youth is a family and we are entrenched in the local community, and we will give whatever support is required to both the family and to those that were with him at the time.

"We would ask that people respect the privacy of the family at this most tragic of times.

"Rest In Peace young man."

Since the tragedy, hundreds of tributes have flooded in for the school boy, who has not yet been named by the authorities.

In the latest outpouring of grief, football shirts have been tied to a post at the edge of the playing field and there are several bouquets of flowers laid on the ground.

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