A COMMUNITY is in shock after a former Cotswold School pupil, who was set for a promising career in farming, died in a car crash this week.

Described as a "gentle giant" by his friends, 19-year-old Jake, from Guiting Power, was killed when his Ford Fiesta collided with a Land Rover Freelander near Stow-on-the-Wold, at around 6.45pm on Monday.

The driver of the Land Rover, a 59-year-old man, suffered serious head and multiple trauma injuries in the crash on the B4077 and is currently being treated at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Friends and teachers have paid tribute to Jake, who was a pupil at The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water before going on to complete a Diploma in Agriculture at Hartpury College last year.

Will Morgan, principal of The Cotswold School, said Jake had a wide circle of friends and the "tragic" news had come as a shock to both staff and students.

"He was a popular and well liked pupil, described as a ‘gentle giant’ by his peers," Mr Morgan said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Jake. He will be missed and never forgotten."

Prayers were also said for the teenager’s family in a special service held at St Michael’s and All Angels Church in Guiting Power on Tuesday night.

The Reverend Canon Veronica James said: "It was a reflective time. We prayed for Jake’s family and all those who have lost loved ones during the year."

An inquest into Jake's death was expected to be opened today at Gloucester Coroner's Court.

Police are investigating the crash, which took place at crossroads near Upper Swell and caused the B4077 to be closed off for eight hours.

Officers have urged anyone with information to come forward, by calling 101 and quoting incident 397 of November 5.