TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘cheeky, funny’ teenager found hanged in his bedroom.

Darwen schoolboy Henry Tattersall, 13, was discovered dead at his Rossendale home on Monday evening.

Hundreds of friends and strangers from across East Lancashire left heartfelt messages of condolences to the sports-mad youngster online. Harry, a Burnley FC season ticket holder, had just started at Brambles East School in Darwen where his mum Eve said he was ‘loving life’.

In a statement issued by his mum and his stepdad, Lee, she said: “Henry was a fearless, adventurous child who loved his sport, especially football and golf. Burnley FC was his passion and he was a season ticket holder.

“Henry attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Stacksteads, before going to Fearns College, Oswaldtwistle School, and most recently Brambles East in Darwen.

“Henry struggled to fit in at school but had been loving life at Brambles East and was settled.”

Police received a report from the ambulance service at around 5.20pm on November 25 to say that Henry had been found hanged.

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after 6.30pm.

Lancashire police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and that a file would be prepared and passed to the coroner.

His mum said Henry, of Brow Edge, Newchurch, loved adventure sports such as zorbing and that he ‘was at his happiest when he was outside’ She added: “A typical Henry story is that of him having a bet with his uncle Neil that he could eat 20 Brussels sprouts on Christmas Day two years ago for £20.

“Henry managed it and was banging on his uncle’s front door at 8am the next morning wanting payment.

“Henry was a cheeky, funny and impulsive child who has left a massive hole in the family that cannot be filled.”

John Rider, headteacher at Brambles East School, which teaches children with educational and behavioural difficulties, said: “Henry started at Brambles East School in September 2013 and had been with us for seven weeks.

“He settled in very quickly and had become a very popular pupil with both staff and his peers.

“He joined in fully in school life and was making excellent progress with his work and his behaviour. Staff and pupils alike will miss his quiet smile and calm manner.”

Last night, almost 900 people had signed up to a Facebook page called R.I.P Henry Tattersall.

Among the messages was one from Holly Gatenby, whose older brother Declan, from Stacksteads, took his own life in July.

She said: “Henry my brother will look after you.”

Another, from Deborah Johnson, said: “R.I.P Henry. I was a teaching assistant at your primary school, lovely boy. Sleep well. “Thoughts go out to your family. Cant even begin to imagine what they're going through. Another angel taken too soon.”