A SPECIAL tribute has been paid to a Lowestoft teenager who died in a crash in west Norfolk.

Taylor High, 19, was fatally injured when the Renault Clio in which he was a front seat passenger was involved in a head-on collision on the A17 at Clenchwarton, near King's Lynn on March 26.

His friend Jamie Gibbs, who was driving the Clio, was badly injured.

Last Saturday, tributes were paid to Taylor, who was a talented footballer, by his former team mates at Corton FC.

Before the first team game against Poringland, both teams lined up around the centre circle for a minute's applause in his memory.

The two sets of players were joined by members of Corton Reserves, club officials, spectators and the match officials.

A special framed shirt bearing Taylor's name and number and signed by all members of Corton FC was presented to his parents, Gary and Elaine, and his brother Curtis.

Corton FC committee member Stuart Halsey said: 'It was a very moving occasion as Taylor was such a popular player with the club.'

Taylor, of Hopelyn Close, Lowestoft, joined the club when Corton FC and Ole Frank merged, and this season he had progressed through the A team and reserves to become a first team player.

'Taylor was not only a good footballer, he was also a great lad to have in the dressing room as he was always cheerful and looking to be positive,' Mr Halsey added.

Corton FC first team manager Steve Balls said Taylor's loss had been felt by everyone involved with the club. 'There is no doubt that Corton FC are going to miss Taylor as he was such an important member of the club.

'Everyone wanted to pay tribute to Taylor in any way they could,' he said.

Following the crash, hundreds of tributes to Taylor have been placed on the social networking site Facebook by his many friends in the Lowestoft area. Others have left messages urging Jamie to 'keep fighting' as he recovers from multiple injuries at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. A spokesman for the hospital described Jamie's condition yesterday as 'stable'.

Taylor's funeral takes place today at St Margaret's, Lowestoft, at 3pm, followed by a private committal at Gorleston Crematorium.

Taylor's family have invited everyone who knew Taylor to the service and to join them afterwards at the Ole Frank in Gresham Avenue, which is run by his uncle Glen.

Men are requested to wear smart clothes, but with a colourful tie and, women to wear brightly coloured clothes or accessories.

A Norfolk police spokesman said this week that an investigation was continuing into the collision which also involved a Peugeot driven by a man in his 50s from the King's Lynn area. He escaped serious injury.

Anyone with information should contact PC Richard Peck at the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 0845 456 4567.