Balloons released for boy killed in hit-and-run

The gathering involved blue balloons and smoke flares

Dozens of balloons have been released at a vigil for a 12-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run crash a week ago.

Keaton Slater was crossing Radford Road in Coventry on his way home from school when he was struck by a car that police said was being driven well above the 30mph (48km/h) speed limit.

The boy was a keen Coventry City supporter, along with the rest of his family, and many fans gathered to pay their respects and help with the balloon release.

A fundraising page set up to raise money for the family has reached £50,000, following the crash in which Keaton was struck by a black BMW at about 16:30 BST on 14 June.

A short service was held at just after 19:00 BST on Friday on a small piece of parkland near to where he was killed.

The boy's mother, Louise, father Clint and brothers attended and words were spoken on their behalf before a minute's applause.

A small rainbow appeared in the sky, prompting more applause.

People attending were invited to wear sky blue in his memory.

A video issued by his family shows Keaton opening a birthday present on his 11th birthday last year

Earlier, Father Benedict from St Augustine's in the city, who was leading prayers, said he had been impressed by the resilience of the Coventry community.

"Keaton was a very valued member of our Catholic community as well [as] attending our Catholic primary school at St Augustine's where we've held a prayer vigil for him and a memorial service today and of course in Cardinal Newman Catholic secondary school as well."

Parents Louise and Clint Slater were in attendance

People attending were invited to wear sky blue in memory of the Coventry City fan

A reward of up to £10,000 has been offered by a charity for information on a man being hunted over the crash.

Dolars Aleksanders, 21, remained "the prime suspect in the investigation into the tragic collision", West Midlands Police said. He is wanted on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, has said the reward was available for the next three months for information that leads to Mr Aleksanders' arrest.

A small rainbow in the sky prompted applause

The West Midlands force said it had arrested and spoken with a number of people as part of the continuing inquiry.

It detained a 56-year-old man on Tuesday evening on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 21-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Both men have been bailed pending further inquiries and a third man, who has been voluntarily interviewed, has been released under investigation.

A black BMW which was seized after being found abandoned in New Arley was being forensically examined, police said.

People gathered on a small piece of parkland near to where he was killed