HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a teenager who died just days after going to his school prom.

Hundreds of Tom Gallagher’s friends and family members are expected at a memorial service next week following the 16-year-old’s death.

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The youngster’s body was found in Old Kays Park, off Turton Road in Tottington, shortly after 8am on Saturday.

Police said they are not treating Tom’s death as suspicious, and that a file was being prepared for the coroner.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School (BRGS) student will be remembered at the Marl Pits football pitches from 1pm Saturday, July 25 when friends will release balloons in honour of the ‘intelligent and likeable’ Oxford hopeful.

A book of condolences has also been opened at the school, while an online fundraising page has been set up to fund the commemorative service, as well as a longer lasting memorial.

BRGS head teacher Alan Porteous said: “Tom was an exceptional student who had great intellectual curiosity and an enquiring mind; he never stopped questioning in a search for deeper levels of understanding.

“Tom was well liked within school and always willing to talk – conversations with Tom could cover a multitude of topics, following which Tom would often go and do a little ‘further research’.

“Academically, he was very strong and had recently successfully completed his GCSEs, with high expectations of a superb set of results this summer.

“He will be sadly missed by students and staff alike.”

Tom’s friend, Abigail Swallow, who has been sharing her memories on Facebook, said: “I feel like I knew him so well, yet I barely scratched the surface.

“I am not ready to let go of him yet, because I just can’t comprehend him not being here.”

The mum of Lauren Johnson, the former BRGS student, who died after jumping from the top of the Arndale Centre in Accrington last year, has offered support to Tom’s family, who were too upset to comment.