The family of a 20-year-old who tragically died in a car crash have spoken of the happiness he brought into people's lives.

Joel Sycamore died on Saturday morning after his red Vauxhall Astra crashed into a house in Grazely, near Reading.

The apprentice technician at Dick Lovett BMW in Swindon, who went to Lydiard Park Academy, was taken to hospital but later died.

In a tribute sent to the Adver, the family said: “Over the past three days we have learnt so much about our Joel and the life he led with his abundance of incredible friends.

“He was kind, thoughtful, selfless and had a heart of gold.

“He was a beacon of light in the lives of so many, and there is a little light that has remained dark since he left this life.

“Joel brought happiness and love to the lives of countless individuals and the photos and videos shared from his friends have shown the sheer adoration and respect they all had for him. It fills our hearts with peace and joy that he was so happy in his life.

“The support from his friends and colleagues has been out of this world to the extent that two groups of friends met at a local pub and let off lanterns and balloons with our family around a lake the day of his passing.

“We were able to talk about and reflect on Joel’s incredible life with them. Joel was a real car enthusiast, spurred on by his job at BMW as an apprentice technician and his beloved Vauxhall Astra in fire red was his pride and joy.

“His car enthusiast friends organised a car meet the day following Joel’s passing, to enable them to say goodbye with us, and there was an incredible turn out of 35 cars. Some travelled from across the UK to wish Joel a peaceful goodbye and we, as a family, have been overwhelmed.

“A justgiving page was set up for our family, without our knowledge, to raise £500 to support us during this difficult time. Incredibly it's reached nearly £5,000 in three days. We have had friends from all walks of Joel’s life make contact with us to offer support and love which has made Joel’s passing just a little easier to handle.

“After all that we have learnt about Joel, it is hard to put him into words but it is clear to see he was an incredible young man, that didn’t have a single negative bone in his body. He was a diamond in the eyes of many with his beautiful eyelashes and pretty eyes. He was adored. Joel is at peace now, and will be missed dearly by his family, friends and colleagues.”

Joel’s family and friends have created a tribute page on Facebook to share memories and kind words.

Chloe Cook wrote: “Words cannot describe how we are all feeling. I keeping thinking of all the times that you’d come to see us with the family in our childhood the memories we all shared, annoying Harry and Sammie your mum and Phil.

"Making tents in grandma and pops lounge, eating all the food we weren’t meant to, emptying the larder just for the fun of it. I’m forever thankful for you Joel and all the memories I was lucky enough to make with you. You are honestly my hero.”

A passenger in Joel's car, also a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged.