THE family of Christopher Kain the St Helens youngster who died suddenly after playing football with his friends, have told the Star of their gratitude to family, friends and local community for their moving messages of support. Former Star paper boy Christopher, a pupil at Broadway High School, was just 13 and had been playing soccer with his friends on the field backing onto the school on the evening of Saturday, May 27.

While walking back to his home in Dickens Road, Grange Park, at about 7.30pm he experienced breathing difficulties and collapsed.

The teenager was rushed to Whiston Hospital but doctors could do nothing for him and he died later that evening, surrounded by his family. Christopher would have celebrated his 14th birthday on the following Wednesday.

Now trying to come to terms with their tragic loss, Christopher's mum Denise and dad, John, who have three other children; Kerry (18), John (15) and Paula, have been inundated with messages of support and condolence from neighbours and friends.

John told the Star: "He died so suddenly that it hasn't really sunk in with us properly yet. But he was always a popular lad with plenty of friends and the number of cards and sympathy messages from neighbours and friends has been overwhelming."

Denise added: "He was a big football fan and actually played for Basildon in Sutton Heath where he won quite a few trophies and cups. In fact, we had given him his birthday money earlier that Saturday and he had used some of it to buy himself a new pair of football boots."

Martin Cox, the headteacher at Broadway High, added: "Christopher was a lovely lad and very popular, both with the other pupils and staff. On behalf of the school, we are deeply shocked at the tragic loss of Christopher and our thoughts are with his family who have been so supportive of the school in the past."

Christopher's funeral was held on Monday, June 5 at St John's Church in Ravenhead.