BRAVE David Jarrad underwent a test of courage today while detectives continued to probe the mystery death of his father.

David, 15, decided to go ahead with his GCSE art exam at St Christopher's School, Accrington, only six days after he found his dad, George, dying on the driveway of their Warwick Drive home in Padiham.

Mr Jarrad, 52, had suffered a head injury and died from a fractured skull later the same day.

Police launched a murder-style inquiry but, despite extensive inquiries, are still not sure whether Mr Jarrad was the victim of an attack or an accident.

David has now appealed for any witnesses to come forward and help police inquiries.

The tragic teenager, whose mum, Jean, died from kidney disease three years ago, is staying with his Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jack in Rosegrove.

Margaret said: "He is being very brave and standing up well to the situation.

"Although he was apprehensive about going to school today, he felt he would have to face it some time and that he should go ahead with his exams.''

David first realised something was wrong when he heard his father put the key into the lock at about 12.50am on Friday.

Mr Jarrad, who had apparently walked home after visiting the Rosegrove Railway Club, did not enter the house.

David said: "I looked out and saw my dad. I couldn't get my key in the lock and I started to panic."

He rang for an ambulance and then telephoned his uncle who told him to go out through the back door.

David found his father unconscious and bleeding from a head wound.

"I saw blood on my hands and went for a towel and stayed with my dad until the ambulance came,'' he said.

Mr Jarrad gave up work at Potterson Myson in Padiham three years ago to look after David, who suffers from kidney disease and diabetes.

David said his dad was also a friend who helped him with his daily injections and tablets.

He said: "I am now going to have to work harder to do the job of two people, although I still have a family to help me out.

"It is very upsetting. We don't know what happened and we cannot go ahead with the funeral.

"I would ask anyone with information to come forward and help police with their inquiries.''

Police are anxious to trace a man wearing military-style clothing who was seen running from the area of Mr Jarrad's home between 12.30am and 12.50am on Friday.

He is described as being in his late teens to mid 20s and was wearing a black hat, NATO-type jumper, belt and camouflage trousers.

Mr Jarrad's missing glasses were later found in Shakespeare Street near to the railway bridge, possibly pointing to that as the scene where Mr Jarrad was injured.

Anyone with information should ring detectives on Burnley 472043 or tell any police officer.

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