THE mother of a teenage learner driver who crashed and died after going out for a night time solo drive today begged other teenagers to take more care with their own lives.

Car and motorbike-mad Paul Green died when he crashed the Vauxhall Astra he had borrowed from a friend.

Paul, of Thorney Park, Wroughton, was a former motorcycle racing champion who had only celebrated his 17th birthday on November 2. He had not yet taken his driving test.

His mum, Linda Javuz, 44, said her son had "wanted to grow up too quickly" and appealed to young people not to take risks by driving untrained like he had.

"I want to say to anyone who knew Paul: 'Please, please, please, think about what you are doing and get training,'" she said.

"I want to encourage young people starting to drive cars to realise that they are dangerous and not just some macho thing.

"We all want to grow up quickly and be mobile, but there are big dangers to go with cars as well.

"Paul wanted to grow up too quickly and he didn't want to listen to the danger.

"There are rules out there because they are for everyone's benefit please don't break the rules just because they are rules."

The accident happened on Saturday night when the car Paul was driving collided with a Citroen Saxo on the B4553 near Cricklade.

Mrs Javuz, of Springhill Close, Westlea, said the timing of the accident was particularly tragic as Paul had just started to make a success of his life.

He had struggled to find a permanent job after leaving school this year, but had recently started working for a local firm fitting sprinklers at Heathrow airport.

"He was making a really big effort, getting up early in the morning and earning good money," Mrs Javuz said.

"Everybody loved him there, they said they'd never had an apprentice as good as Paul, so it couldn't have happened at a worse time."

Paul's father, David Green, 42, of Thorney Park, said he was devastated at the loss of a son with his whole life ahead of him.

"It's just the wrong age," he said.

"My father died at 65, which was a waste because he'd spent all his life working.

"But when you bring someone up and they die at the age of 17, it's even worse."

Both parents paid tribute to their son, who Mr Green described as "good as gold" and Mrs Javuz called "a lovely lad".

They said Paul, a former Bradon Forest School, Purton, pupil, would also be badly missed by his many friends.

Those friends are already collecting the money for a memorial stone, which will be placed next to Paul's ashes following his funeral service and cremation next Monday.

"He had lots and lots and lots of friends, so a lot of people want a place where they can go and think of him," Mrs Javuz said.

She said anyone who knew Paul was welcome to attend his funeral service, planned for Shaw Church, in Shaw Village Centre, at 2pm, and the cremation at Kingsdown Crematorium at 3pm.

The inquest into Paul's death was due to be opened and adjourned today. It will be heard in full next year.