TEDDY bears, small toys, cards and flowers have been left beneath a tree near to where a toddler was killed by a tipper truck.

Well-wishers, neighbours and friends of the boy's family have placed a large number of flowers near the scene of Tuesday's tragedy in Valley Road, Shipley.

The two-year-old, who is thought to have been chasing a dog and went into the road between two parked vehicles, was struck by a white Scania tipper truck.

Neighbour Mark Craven, 24, a father of two young children, was among many who paid their respects by placing a card and flowers near to where the boy died.

Mr Craven, whose own two-year-old son often played with the boy who died, said family members had yesterday gathered up all the cards and messages that had been left in memory of their little boy.

His own message reads: "Rest in peace little man, a beautiful boy."

Mr Craven and his wife Rebecca said they have been unable to sleep since the tragedy.

"I have spoken to the family," he said.

They are putting on a really brave face at the minute. They have moved flowers from a wall to put them under a tree."

He said people had also been lighting candles and leaving cuddly toys near to the tree.

"People have left loads of flowers and toys such as Tweenie figures. My wife and I are still in shock and are trying to get round what has happened. It will be at least a couple of days before it sinks in."

Mr Craven said he could not bring himself to look out of his own flat window because it overlooked the scene of the incident.

"I can see out of the window where he was killed. It's dreadful."

Councillors in the area have also spoken of their shock at what happened.

Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said family of the toddler and residents of the flats near the tragedy had approached him about fencing for the site after the accident.

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He said: "I spoke to his mother yesterday evening because she rang me. Obviously my heart goes out to the family and my condolences to the grandma and mother.

"A lot of kids play there. It is an Incommunities site and it needs fencing off or something. The mum and other residents have raised that with me."

He added: "It is just really sad. To lose any life is sad, but especially a young one. My heart goes out to them.

"He was a two-year-old toddler with his life ahead of him."

Councillor Mohammad Shabbir (Lab, Heaton) said: "As a parent of children it is deeply sad for something like that to happen. It was a tragic, freak accident that should not have happened.

"It was very shocking to hear about it."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said: "It is just really shocking.

"I have just become a dad myself about seven months ago, and you become a bit more sensitive to these things.

"I am just shocked and my thoughts are with the family. It is just a really sad situation."

The police investigation into what happened is continuing. Any witnesses are being asked to contact police on 101.