'Help kids to stay away from violence'

ENGLAND rugby star Ellis Genge has called for children to be given more support to avoid being drawn into knife crime after two teenage boys were stabbed to death close to where he grew up.

- Paul Jeeves

Bristol-born ace Ellis revealed that he attended a nursery on Ilminster Avenue, where Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, suffered fatal wounds.

The 28-year-old wrote on social media: “Kids in these communities need more support and help to be kept away from violence.”

Bus passengers watched in horror as Max and Mason were “ambushed” by a gang of at least five people travelling in a car and a van on Saturday.

The teenagers, who were named yesterday, were rushed to separate hospitals in the city after the 11.20pm attack but died with devastated relatives at their bedsides.

In a cruel twist it is believed Mason had only recently lost his father.

Max’s sister Kayleigh paid tribute to her “baby brother” yesterday, describing him as “one of a kind”. Writing on Facebook, she added: “You sleep tight. A beautiful, kind soul gone. 16 years so young and innocent oh my heart is broken.

“I really hope you know how much we love you. How much I love you. You will be missed kiddo, I’ll always look out for you in every sunset, shine bright lil’ bro.”

Max’s mother Leanne wrote: “Devastated, our lives will never be the same without you my boy.”