PUPILS at Test Valley School are mourning the loss of a fellow student killed in a road accident near Stockbridge.

Carl Hinton, who lived at Wallop, was walking home along the A343 on Sunday evening when he was struck by a Renault Laguna driven by a 59-year-old Salisbury man, who was uninjured. His car was travelling towards Andover when the accident happened about half-a-mile east of Middle Wallop Army base between the junction of Old Stockbridge Road and Dunkirk House at Abbotts Ann Down.

Floral tributes have been left at the roadside where the teenager lost his life.

Carl was 16 and he lived at Lockerley for a number of years and attended the village school before moving on to Stockbridge's Test Valley School. A special assembly was held at Test Valley on Tuesday in which Year 11 pupils reflected on their memories of Carl.

Headteacher, Wendy Morrish, said the whole school had been devastated at the loss of a well-liked pupil. "Everyone is in very deep shock. Year 11 pupils are being very sensitive and thoughtful. Carl had a lot of friends and was a very popular boy and a real part of the school community. We have offered counselling for pupils if they want it. We had Year 11 pupils together for a time on Tuesday for reflection. Pupils are looking for some kind of memorial to remember Carl," said Miss Morrish.

And Lockerley School administration officer, Lesley Shaw, who knew Carl well, said everyone was saddened and horrified at what had happened.

"It's an extremely sad loss of a lovely lad. We are all shocked," said Mrs Shaw.

Police are investigating Sunday's accident, which happened at about 9.25pm on a fast stretch of the A343, where there is only a narrow roadside verge for pedestrians.

Anyone who was driving along the A343 between Middle Wallop and Abbotts Ann last Sunday evening and witnessed the accident is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 0845-045-4545.