Friends of a boy killed in a tragic car crash have placed a bench on a village green where he used to play in memory of him and his mum.

Kai Arnold, 11, and his mother Nicola Morris, 29, died in a head-on crash on a bend in Banstead Road, Ewell, on July 5.

Their deaths left the community in shock and people donated more than £1,400 to pay for the memorial bench on Woodmansterne green. It faces a carved log where Kai used to play.

Jake Noakes, 13, who set up the fundraising webpage, said: "When Kai played on the log, Nicola watched him. She did not have anywhere to sit to watch him but the bench faces directly to the log."

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Earlier this month Kai’s friends met up at the bench and visited some of the places they used to go with him. Jake said: "It was quite nice in a way. It was nice to be able to do that."

More than four months on from his death, he said: "It’s more real and we have not seen him in a while. It’s a lot worse than when it first happened."

The bench’s plaque, donated by Mr Snob cobblers in Banstead High Street, reads: "In loving memory of Nicola Morris and Kai Arnold, forever in our hearts."

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Nicola Morris

When asked about the bench, Jake said: "It’s wicked. Every now and again when I go past I look at it and think of them, it’s good."

Back in the summer, he said: "Nicola was one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She never did anything wrong, she would do her best to help anyone.

"I could say Kai was the nicest young boy as well but he weren't. He was a typical young boy.

"Even though he was a typical young boy he would try his hardest to please everyone and that was the best thing about Kai."

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Kai Arnold

Kai’s dad David Arnold, who was engaged to Ms Morris, was also injured in the crash. A fund has been set up for his younger brother Alfie.