PUPILS at Fishpool Infants School were yesterday (Mon March 19) mourning the death of classmate Shoaib Aftab, killed in a road accident as he walked home from lessons.

A special assembly and prayers were held for the six-year-old who died when he was in collision with a lorry cab as he made his way home on Friday (March 16).

Shoaib, who lived in Benson Street, was crossing Killon Street at its junction with Parkhills Road and Wellington Road just before 4pm.

He had been walking with a friend just ahead of his mother Mrs Tabasum Aftab.

Teacher Ms Elizabeth Banks said: "Shoaib was always smiling. You could not help but love him.

"Our thoughts are with his family and we are also helping our children to come to terms with his death." Shoaib, who had four sisters, was described as a loving, intelligent child who was popular with classmates.

His uncle, Mr Naveed Shah, of South Bank Road, Bury, said: "He loved cricket and his idol was the fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar .

"We are all devastated. He was so well liked. His mother is very brave and is trying to cope as best she can."

Close relative Mr Mirza Hamie said: "Shoaib's mother said she did not know what happened. When she saw him in the middle of the road, she thought he just had a nosebleed. She did not realise what had happened."

A police spokesman said the cab was driven along Wellington Road towards its junction with Parkhills Road before crossing the mini-roundabout into Killon Street where the boy stepped out into the road from the vehicle's offside. It was being driven by Mr Ian Crompton (50), of Walshaw Road, Bury. Police want any witnesses to call 856 8072.

An inquest will open this week. A funeral date has not yet been arranged.