Classmates of three teenage boys killed in a car crash took to the football pitch to remember their friends.

Teams from Oxford Community School, in Cowley, and Peers School in Littlemore, played a football match in memory of Oxford's Eastern Bypass crash.

Two of the boys killed in the accident in May last year, Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett, both 13, were pupils at Oxford Community School, while victim Marshall Haynes, also 13, was a Peers schoolboy and keen footballer.

All three died when a car they were travelling in veered into oncoming traffic.

Their former friends, now in year nine, played the second annual friendly memorial match at Oxford Community School's sports ground on Thursday and organisers are hoping the match will continue in the coming years.

Parents of the boys who lost their lives were joined by their children's school friends on the sidelines to watch the match.

Jake Hastings, younger brother of Liam, of Rose Hill, took part in the memorial game.

Emmanuel Botwe, year nine football coach and history teacher, said: "It was a really hard fought game and played in the right spirit.

"Players were helping each other up and encouraging other players even if they weren't on the same teams.

"It's an annual opportunity for those that knew the boys to celebrate their lives in a positive way to make sure they are still remembered.

"Also, both schools were affected by what happened and it's a good chance for them to be together.

"The children really responded well. The attitude was fantastic and all the spectators were getting on with each other and there were some really positive things to come out of it.

"I hope the games go on forever now."

Peers School won the game 4-1 and have now taken the memorial shield twice after triumphing 6-3 in the inaugural encounter last year in July.

In that match, crash survivor Conor Hunt, of Peers School, scored a goal only seven weeks after he was released from hospital.

Schoolboys Jake Proper, of Rose Hill, Anton Dublin, of Headington and Aiden Wood, of Cowley, also survived the crash.

Student and part-time lifeguard Howard Hillsdon, 21, of Yarnton, was killed.

Driver Angela Dublin, 46, is currently in jail serving a two-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.