AN ONLINE book of condolences has been set up in memory of a popular teenager who died in a motorway crash.

Carl Vause, 19, of Amber Avenue, Roe Lee, Blackburn, was returning from his first week in a new job in London with his father, a builder, and also called Carl, when their van collided with a black Mercedes in Staffordshire.

Dozens of tributes and cards have been arriving for the family, paying tribute to the teenager, who died instantly in the M6 crash last Saturday.

Now tributes are also being left on a website.

Harry Gibbs, manager at Talbot Funeral Service, which is organising the funeral, said the online book was recently launched with people like Carl in mind.

He said: "Carl was at the age where his friends will be very internet aware.

"A way of leaving messages on the internet, which they will be very used to, is ideal.

"It is also likely to be of particular value to relatives living outside the local area, or overseas, and to anyone who may not be able to attend the funeral.

"Online memorials will fast become a preferred way to celebrate the life of a much-missed loved one because the messages will be there forever."

Carl's is one of just a handful of online books of condolences which have been launched, and is part of a service offered by a website called Forever Online, which is linked to by different funeral services.

The book can be signed for free, at any time of the day, with no limit on the number of messages posted.

The former Pleckgate High School pupil's devastated family have already posted notes online including: "Goodnight and God Bless to our cheeky chap, you were some lad, you will be forever in our hearts, we feel blessed to have had you in our lives, it just should have been for longer, Love you always, Mum, Dad and Sammy."

Carl's 42-year-old father, who was driving, remains in the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after an operation to put a steel plate in his leg, and plastic surgery on his face.

Police in Stafford, who closed the motorway for more than six hours to clear the wreckage, are investigating.

Carl junior, an avid Blackburn Rovers fan, will have a coffin designed with the image of Ewood Park.

One side will show the view from seat 192, row two of the upper tier of the Jack Walker stand, where he had a season ticket with his grandad, Frank.

Scores of people are expected to attend his funeral service on Thursday at St Gabriel's Church, Brownhill.

To sign the book of condolences, log onto www.talbotfs.com/carl