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Muhammad Bilal Ahmed was struck by a black Renault Clio after he followed his mum out of the house without her realising on Thursday afternoon.

The youngster, who was due to start nursery on Monday, died after he was rushed to hospital in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

His devastated mum Jawairia Aslam, 32, said: "He was my world. He was always by our side — always saying mummy or daddy. He would walk into a room and it was as if he owned the place, like everything belonged to him. He was bossy. He was so cute, everybody adored him.

"He made us so happy — We never thought we would lose him."

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Grief-stricken Jawaira, married to Bilal's taxi driver dad Ghulam Ahmed, rushed to help her son after he was hit.

The mum-of-two added: "He was brave. He didn't cry. He looked at me and then his eyes closed.

"He was my little soldier. He had eczema since six weeks, it meant he slept badly but he dealt with it so bravely despite his young age.

"He was getting used to having a little brother, he would watch over him.

"He was so clever, he knew the whole alphabet by the time he was two and he knew his numbers.

"He loved cars, he would recognise them just from their shapes. He'd see them coming and say 'Toyota', 'BMW' and 'Mercedes'"

“The other day I called to Bilal and went upstairs to see him putting on hair oil just like his dad. Then he turned to me and said ‘I’m ready’. He was so funny. We all loved him so much.”

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Greater Manchester Police are investigating the crash.

Sergeant Mark Thomas of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic turn of events that has resulted in a young boy losing his life.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."