AN arts centre had paid tribute to member Olatunji Adeyanju who was tragically killed in a hit and run last week.

Cyclist Olatunji, known to friends as TJ, died after being hit at a pedestrian crossing in Deptford Church Street on March 23 at around 5pm.

TJ had been a member of Deptford's Second Wave centre since he was 14, and director Ann Considine said many young people had come to the building to seek support and remember their friend.

In a statement addressed to TJ's uncle, chair of the board of trustees Cheryl Brown wrote: "There are no words to express the grief that all the staff, young people and Trustees felt on hearing of his sudden passing.

"TJ was loved and respected by everyone who knew him at Second Wave. He was an exceptional young man with genuine qualities of leadership and loyalty.

"TJ first joined Second Wave’s Saturday Fusion group when he was 14 years old and immediately got involved in a range of creative activities.

"He enjoyed being creative and it was good to see him relaxing and having fun. He gradually grew in confidence and made lots of friends. TJ’s warm smile and friendly nature attracted people to him, and young people trusted him. TJ also took himself seriously and was focused on his studies and his future.

"At Second Wave TJ could expand his creative skills and he got involved in writing, lyrics, and graffiti art, and he loved acting. He performed in several productions including ‘Open City Fresh’, a new comedy about a young boy arriving in London from Nigeria who was being looked after by a cousin from Deptford. This show was premiered in Second Wave’s studio theatre with an audience of local people.

"At 16 TJ became a young volunteer at Second Wave and made an important contribution to Second Wave’s youth arts and neighbourhood safety programmes.

"In 2010, he took part in a DVD called ‘Critical Encounters’ about how to improve the relations between young people and police. TJ’s contribution to the film was thoughtful and honest and, as usual, he led by example.

"TJ will be sadly missed. But he has left us with many positive memories and his contribution will not be forgotten."

Police have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failure to stop. He has been bailed to a date in May.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that may assist police should call the Road Death Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 020 8285 1574.