Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a 24-year-old who was killed on Monday night when his Ford Focus hit a lamppost in Hornchurch.

The victim has been named locally as Gabriel Serunkuma, of Harold Hill.

Police were called to the scene, near the junction with Sowrey Avenue, just after 10.30pm to find the driver trapped inside the overturned blue car.

Fire and ambulance crews also attended and Mr Serunkuma was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tributes from loved ones were left at the scene of the crash on Tuesday.

Matt wrote: “What can I say, there are no words to describe today. You’ll always be remembered, never forgotten”

Another, from an unknown person, said: “My thoughts are with you, no words can describe how we are all feeling. Heaven has gained an angel. R.I.P Gabz.”

The Shepherd and Dog pub, where Mr Serunkuma worked, also left a tribute, and speaking to the Recorder, the pub gave the following statement: “Gabs worked here as a kitchen porter for just over a year and he touched the hearts of everyone that met him.

“We know you’ll be looking down laughing and shaking your head when we put the plates away wrong. The whole place is devastated.”

Tributes poured in on Facebook, with many referring to Gabriel as “Gabs”.

Friend Ronnie Glassgow wrote: “Reading through got me in tears RIP bro x”.

Sonja Gater wrote: “R.I.P Gabs u will b sadly missed mate, my heart goes out to his family at this sad sad time sleep tight.”

Officers from Havering are investigating the circumstances of the crash and asking for witnesses, or anyone with information, to call Havering CID on 101.

No other vehicle is believed to have been involved.

Roads around the area were closed on Monday night and early on Tuesday morning.

The crash was the second in a matter of hours in Hornchurch.

Two people were taken to hospital following a collision in Upper Rainham Road earlier in the day.