The bereaved mother of a boy who died after he was hit a bus has paid tribute to her "very popular" and "football mad" son.

David Barcelos, 13, was hit by a bus in Fore Street, in Edmonton, last Thursday as he ran for another bus going to his school Gladesmore Community School, in Tottenham.

Scores of tributes have been left at the scene of the accident.

His devastated mother Nadia Oliveira, of Joyce Avenue, Upper Edmonton, told the Enfield Independent about her “amazing” son.

She said: “We are heartbroken, the whole family is devastated. He was an amazing and very popular boy.

“He had friends from all walks of life and all religions; he could get along with anyone and was very friendly.”

Ms Oliveira revealed that her son had aspirations to play professional football for his favourite team Arsenal and was always playing the game.

She said; “He was football mad and would play on the streets after school all the time. He loved watching Arsenal and football in Portugal. We used to take him to the Tottenham sports centre and he loved playing there too.”

The heartbroken mother spoke of the support that she has received from the school and the community and said: “Without the people in the community I would not have been able to cope. They have been so supportive.

“David loved his family and his sisters and enjoyed science and PE at school. He was a lovely boy”

Gladesmore School headteacher Tony Hartney, who paid homage to the “cheerful” boy, visited the family yesterday evening to offer his condolences.

A special assembly will be held to commemorate David’s life.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident and have so far made no arrests.