MRS TAYLOR, a mother of two, added: “There is no barrier to stop kids getting on to the motorway, they just have to climb down a bank and they are on it.

“I tell my children never to go in the woods and keep a constant watch over them. But boys are boys and it must have been an adventure for them.

“I just feel for their parents – they will be totally devastated.”

Headmistress Kathryn Dukes, of Murdishaw primary school, which Kieran and Guy attended, said they would be missed by all the staff and pupils.

She said: “This tragic news comes as a great shock to the whole school community. Kieran and Guy had the rest of their lives ahead of them and we are all devastated.

“Our thoughts are with the families at this very difficult time and we will, of course, be giving them all the help and support we can.

“Pupils will be told of the tragedy when they return to school after the half-term holiday, and support will be made available.”

Inspector Russell Barnes, from Cheshire police, said: “It is an absolute tragedy for everyone involved – both the family of these two boys and the people who witnessed it.

“We had numerous 999 calls from drivers on the motorway to say that they had seen these two boys with their scooters on the hard shoulder.

“The police and highways agency deployed patrols but by the time they got there the collision had just happened.”

As officers arrived, drivers were swerving across the motorway to avoid the scene.

Insp Barnes added: “The boys were hit by three cars.

“The drivers wouldn’t have been able to see them until it was too late.”

Cheshire police are still calling for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information should call 0845 458 000.

carolineinnes