MOVES are under way to improve safety on a section of road where a 10-year-old boy and his father were killed in a car crash.

A safety scheme awaiting implementation by the Highways Agency would involve reducing the speed limit on the A456 Birmingham Road, between Kidderminster and Blakedown, and narrowing the carriageway to one lane in places, according to West Mercia Constabulary officers.

Insp John Morgan, of Kidderminster police, said: "We are aware of the safety issues concerning this stretch of road and we have been working with partner agencies to address that.

"It will, no doubt, feature in the coroner's investigation into these tragic and untimely deaths."

The project's existence has come to light following the deaths of Matthew Thacker - known as Matty - of Hillgrove Crescent, Kidderminster, and his father, John, 43, who lived at Harvington.

They died when the Jaguar XKR they were travelling in was in collision with a red Vauxhall Corsa, on the A456, near Hodgehill Nurseries, at 12.20pm on Sunday.

Their car left the Kidderminster-bound side of the carriageway and hit a tree.

Mr Thacker's daughter Emma, 15, was also travelling in the Jaguar and had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering a broken pelvis.

A 22-year-old man from the Kidderminster area, who was driving the Corsa - also travelling towards the town - suffered shock.

Susie Thacker, Matthew's mother, paid tribute to her "happy-go-lucky" son and said: "Matty was a lovely son and brother. He adored spending time with his dad and cousins.

"He was a keen sports fan, in particular rugby and football, in which he also excelled at playing for his school.

"Like his dad, he was also a keen tennis player, playing for Cutnall Green Tennis Club.

"He was also a dedicated Worcester Warriors rugby fan and he and his dad had season tickets.

"He was a cheeky, happy-go-lucky little monkey who could get away with almost anything with his lovely smile."

Mr Thacker's sister, Jane Ratcliff, of Stourbridge, said her brother was good fun and "once met was never forgotten."

She added: "This tragic accident has left such a void in so many people's lives."

The youngster was a pupil at Winterfold House School near Chaddesley Corbett.

Headmaster Bill Ibbetson-Price paid tribute to a "gentle" pupil, who was "immensely popular" with everybody at the school.

He said: "Matty, as he was known to all his friends and family, was a typical, fun-loving, 10-year-old who lived life to the full.

"He was a keen sportsman, his greatest love being rugby. Matty was an intelligent and diligent pupil who had a bright academic future ahead of him.

"More than this, he was immensely popular with both staff and children. He was great fun to be with but was also a kind, gentle, caring and polite boy.

"This is a tragic loss of a young life so full of promise and Matty will be missed by all of Winterfold House. His family are in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time."

Mr Thacker, who was divorced from his children's mother, was a regional sales manager for Leicester-based firm Flo-Gas.

He was driving the Jaguar and Matthew was a rear seat passenger at the time of the accident.

His daughter was a front seat passenger and was airlifted to the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, with a fractured pelvis. She remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Mr Thacker shared a love of rugby with his son and used to play for Chaddesley Corbett RFC until forced to retire through injury about five years ago. He was also a hot air balloon enthusiast.

Post mortems were due to be carried out on Tuesday. Matthew's family have requested donations to the County Air Ambulance in lieu of flowers at his funeral.

l Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision, which happened while both vehicles involved were travelling towards Kidderminster from Blakedown.

People with any information should call the road policing unit on 08457 444888.