THE mother of a popular 16-year-old killed when the Land Rover he was driving overturned has joined more than 1,500 people in paying tribute to the teenager who died doing the job he loved.

Daylin Brown was killed in the crash in Torrington, North Devon, when he was out making deliveries in a Land Rover reclassified so it was technically an agricultural vehicle, which Daylin was licensed to drive.

Since the crash on Friday, more than 1,500 people have signed up to a tribute page on the social networking site Facebook.

Dozens of messages of condolence have been left for the teenager who touched the hearts of many in the community.

Last night, Daylin's mother, Lyndsay, said the outpouring of love for her son from so many in the community was helping her to cope with the grief of losing him.

She revealed that more than 40 of his friends turned out for a vigil at the crash site on Saturday morning.

She said: "The nickname that his friends gave him was 'legend'. I think that says it all, really. I don't think there was one person in Torrington who didn't know Daylin. From what people have said, he seems to have touched many hearts, and that's helped me so much."

She said investigators believe her son clipped a hedge as he was driving outside Coombe Farm, Tiverton, between Foxes Cross and Great Torrington.

She said: "It was a horrific accident. The Land Rover overturned and it was quite instant. We weren't able to identify him, because his head and facial injuries were so bad."

The tribute messages on Facebook paint a picture of a hard working youngster with a big heart and a ready smile.

Yesterday, Keith Curtis, MD of K&J Plant Ltd, where Daylin was a trainee, spoke of the teenager's passion for his work. He said: "He had so much energy, and he was a very outgoing young man.

"Whatever you put in front of him, he would do to the best of his ability. I think he fell in love with being here, and people loved having him here."

Mr Curtis said Daylin was a "little brother figure" to many staff.

He said he had been in contact with his mother Lyndsay and father Graham, who are separated. Daylin also leaves a little brother, Devon, 13.

Mr Curtis said he was at a loss to explain the accident. He said: "He was on the way to a site of ours in Torrington, and he just never got there. We don't know why, or what went wrong. It just doesn't make any sense at all at the moment."

He said a tracker in the vehicle showed that Daylin was not driving fast.

He said: "He passed his tractor test about six months ago, and he's driven that vehicle many times since. He was always a lot more sensible than a lot of young lads would be. We're all absolutely devastated."

Yesterday, police were continuing investigations into the death, which left those who knew the youngster distraught and bewildered.

The Land Rover had been reclassified, so that it was technically an agricultural vehicle, and Daylin had a tractor drivers' licence which meant he was qualified to drive it, and had done many times before.

Police said the Land Rover hit a bank before overturning. They believe only one vehicle was involved in the accident, but are keen to speak with the driver of a small blue vehicle, which was travelling on the unclassified road between Torrington towards Alverdiscott between 3.30pm and 4pm on the day of the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to call officers on 08452 777444 quoting reference 594 of February 5.

Daylin played for Torrington FC, and left Great Torrington Community School last year. His former head of year, Vicki McCarthy, said he had a "heart of gold" and was always enthusiastic and friendly.

"He was a big character respected by his peers and a real people pleaser and entertainer," she said. "He liked to make people smile and was a charmer.

"Daylin was never argumentative and was adored by his tutor group. Daylin was very good at working with his hands and very much a role model for those who find academic study a challenge as he worked hard despite the difficulties he had."