Tributes have been paid to two teenage boys killed in a motorcycle accident on Tyneside.Pillion passenger Conor Lowden, died at the scene. The rider, Ross Leggate, died from his injuries in hospital.

Ross, 16, of Wenlock Drive, and 15-year old Conor of Bamburgh Terrace, North Shields, were pupils at John Spence Community High School.The Kawasaki 750 they were riding crashed into a lamppost on Malvern Street in Preston Grange on Saturday.

Head teacher Jim Stephenson said of the boys, who were about to sit their GCSE exams: "The whole school is very saddened by the deaths of Ross and Conor and we are offering support to both children and staff. "They were two very lively and popular boys, both with lots of friends. "All our thoughts are with their families at this very difficult time.

In the future we will discuss with them what they feel may be an appropriate memorial."