A dessert parlour dedicated to a seven-year-old hit-and-run victim is opening tomorrow featuring the UK’s biggest gumball machine.

Will Brown Jr’s will welcome customers at 10am in Folkestone town centre, where they can enjoy ice cream, waffles and other sweet treats.

It was set up in memory of William Brown Jr by his father.

The seven-year-old died after he was struck by a van whilst collecting a football in Sandgate on December 6.

One week ago, Stewart Powell, 49, pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of the crash.

Will Brown Sr says the support has been “overwhelming”.

The 35-year-old told KentOnline: “The run-up has been busy and emotional, and it has been keeping my mind in a positive place.

“I feel like Will is being honoured.

“Everyone that has walked past the shop has looked in and given us the biggest smile.

“Everyone has been so supportive and got behind us.

“That’s been the most overwhelming thing - the public support.”

One of the parlour’s main attractions is a seven-foot-tall gumball machine.

Mr Brown said: “It’s the biggest gumball machine in the UK.

“That’s the sort of thing Will loved.

“He would always want the biggest and most outrageous stuff and I know and I know if he walked in here he would be made up with that.”

The youngster’s closest friends will be the first through the door, and will be given VIP cards entitling them to free food.

His dad is expecting a lot of people to attend the opening tomorrow.

Damian Collins, who helped in the family’s request to bury Will at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, will be cutting the ribbon.

Anyone is welcome to attend the opening event between 10am and 9pm.

The decor features beautiful murals on the walls - painted by another parent from St Eanswythe's school, which William attended - as well as Mr Brown’s own VW campervan.

“He never actually got to see the van, which is tragic to me,” he said.

“This is his shop, so I’ve given it to him.”

The front facade of the store had to be removed to get the vehicle in the unit.

The pick-and-mix stand from the shut-down Folkestone Wilko store is also at the venue, as William loved visiting to pick out treats.

A blue-and-white chequered floor was fitted by Darren Price, the husband of William’s teacher.

The ceiling is adorned with clouds and bright blue skies, inspired by pictures of a blue heart in a cloud which were hung in businesses’ windows after the crash.

There is even a corner especially for William’s little sister Pearl.

“She helped fill up the gumball machine,” her dad recalled.

“It’s really helped keep her mind on the positive stuff too.”

Mr Brown is planning to hold road safety awareness events at the parlour for Year 2 pupils, who will be able to come for a free ice cream, listen to a presentation and learn what happened to William.

William was laid to rest on January 13 at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, a place he would often go to play with his friends.

King Charles granted special permission for William to be buried at the historic graveyard which had been shut for burials since 1855.

Hundreds of mourners attended, with many lining the streets for the funeral procession through Folkestone, while 10,000 people tuned in to a live stream shared on KentOnline.

Stewart Powell’s sentencing has been adjourned until July 17 pending a pre-sentence report.