A teenage boy killed in a car crash was destined for a glittering judo career.

Laurie Suckling, 13, had just qualified for the Southern Area Judo squad after impressing selectors with a clutch of gold and silver medals.

His teachers at Uckfield Community College said he was so talented he could have been in line for a call-up to the national side.

He was killed when the VW Golf his father Stephen was driving was involved in a head-on crash on the A272 at Piltdown, near Uckfield, on Sunday night. Two other vehicles then ploughed in.

Fire crews spent more than an hour battling to free Laurie and his father from the mangled wreckage.

Classmates said prayers at assembly for the Year 9 pupil, of The Nightingales, Uckfield, who loved rugby, cricket and sailing as well as judo.

He grew up in Uckfield and attended Holy Cross Primary School in Belmont Road and Cub and Scout associations.

He represented Uckfield at the Twinning Association International Youth Camp in Latvia last year.

Teachers at the 1,500-pupil college in Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, said Laurie, who had a sister, often gave up his spare time to help younger students.

Geoff Evans said: "He was a conscientious and hard-working student who always gave his best.

"Laurie lived life to the full and enjoyed life.

"He will be missed for his bubbly personality and terrific sense of humour."

Friends and family were yesterday rallying round to comfort Laurie's mother Sarah at the family home.