A TEENAGER found dead at his friend's house was "a loveable rogue with a heart of gold," a family friend said.

The mother of John David Alston, who was 16 on Christmas Eve, was too upset to talk about her son's death.

But family friend, Sheila Meakin said: "He was just full of life when he was with his friends. He seemed tough on the outside but inside he was just a big jelly, really soft."

John, who shared a house in Melrose Avenue on the Hargher Clough estate, Burnley, with his mum Irene, step-dad Bob, and his 12-year-old brother Aaron and sister Patricia, 12, was found dead at a friend's house in neighbouring Selkirk Street on Thursday. He was discovered where he had been sleeping in the living room. The occupants called for an ambulance and police officers also attended.

Detective investigating the incident said the teenager's death was not being treated as suspicious.

A post mortem examination, which was conducted by a Home Office pathologist, proved inconclusive, said Detective Inspector Ron Griffiths, who is leading the investigation. "Further tests are being carried out and we are waiting for the results of those," he said.

East Lancashire coroner David Smith has been informed and an inquest will be held. John's family is waiting for his body to be released so they can go ahead with a burial service.

The teenager attended the Rokeby Centre, Colne Road, Burnley, a youth justice centre managed by social services.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.