The doting family of a teenage girl, killed by a car outside her family home, have thanked everyone who fought to try and save their daughter's life.

Lillian Groves, 14, was hit by a car and killed on her mother's birthday, just yards from her front door.

On Saturday afternoon Lillian's family had been cooking ahead of the England World Cup game for friends and other family members who were coming over on Sunday.

Lillian, who “loved to sing and dance”, had been playing outside with her younger brother, Olly, 10, watching planes fly over from the Biggin Hill Air Show when she was hit by a car in Headley Drive, New Addington.

Her father, Gary Groves, 40, said: “She was daddy's little princess. She was put on a pedestal and she could do no wrong, and everyone knew it too.

“She could be quite a cranky little madam, very much a drama queen with a wicked sense of humour”

Lillian was a keen actress and loved singing, playing parts in many of her school plays and talent contests. She doted on her little brother, Olly, who she used to watch play football every Saturday in the Little League.

Lillian's mother, Natasha Groves, 41, said: “She relished going up and watching Olly play football every Saturday. She'd be up there in the rain, teeth chattering, cheering him on.

“Wherever he was, she was always by his side.

“Olly feels like he's lost his right arm. Right now he is at a total loose end."

Lillian's older sister, Rhiannon, 20, said: “She told us one day when she was little she wanted to be a mermaid when she was older, so we told her she had to cut the tail off a fish and stick it on her toe, then she'd turn into one."

Mrs Groves added: “She couldn't sit still for five minutes, she always wanted to know what we were doing next and if we told her she had to stay inside she'd mope behind the settee watching all the other kids play.

“She had just moved schools in February and was getting on really well at her new school, Addington High. She loved singing and dancing.

“We were getting letters almost everyday from her teachers telling us how well she was doing and one teacher told us a poem she had written recently was outstanding. He said he couldn't tell us just how good it was.

“It was the first time I can honestly say I saw her come out of school with a smile on her face. I remember her walking across the playground with the biggest smile, from ear to ear.”

Mr Groves added: “We can't thank everyone enough for all they have done and everyone's kind words about Lillian.

“Everyone, from the neighbourhood who helped outside, to the doctors and nurses who never gave up, they were all fantastic.

“Lillian was our little princess.”