THE funeral will be held today of a 16-year-old boy who died suddenly in a Blackburn care home.

Tributes have been paid to ‘clever, funny and sensitive’ Danny French by his mother Barbra Sewell ahead of the service.

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It will take place at St Peter’s Church, Darwen, at 1pm followed by a burial at the town’s cemetery.

Police and Blackburn with Darwen Council, who were supporting the family, are currently investigating the circumstances of his death in his bedroom on Sunday, October 2, A police spokesman said: “His death is not being investigated as suspicious.”

A report will be prepared for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton.

Ms Sewell said: “We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful, funny and blue-eyed boy.

“Danny was a gorgeous young man with his whole life ahead of him.

“He was so clever, funny and sensitive with the softest heart I’ve ever known.

“Danny was on the autistic spectrum and faced many difficulties.

“He struggled at school because of his condition so he was being home tutored.

“He was very intelligent and would research his interests until he knew everything about it.

“Danny was living in care on a voluntary arrangement in order to get the support and help that he and we needed.

“His death has left a huge hole in our hearts.”

Ms Sewell works at the Inspire Substance Misuse Service, where Danny was supported by its GO2 Young People’s Service.

Danny leaves Ms Sewell, his father Wayne and six siblings, Grant, Kylie, Jodie, Jason, Nicole, Scott and Jasper.

Following the service, his life will be celebrated at the ICI club in Darwen at 3pm.

The family are requesting family flowers only with donations to GO2.

Linda Clegg, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “This is a tragic death of a young person and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family.

“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and we are working to assist their investigation.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 11.45am on Sunday, October 2, to reports of the sudden death of a teenager in Blackburn. The boy, 16, had been found deceased in a bedroom at his home address.

“We are continuing to work with Blackburn with Darwen Council to establish the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death and his movements on Saturday, October 1.”