A TEENAGE tennis champion has died after being found hanging at his family home.

Matthew Barnes, known to friends and family as Matt, died after being kept alive by a life support machine for five days.

The 17-year-old pupil at Oakhill College, Whalley, was found suspended with a ligature round his neck at his home in Osbaldeston Lane, Osbaldeston.

Paramedics were called and he was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but his condition deteriorated and he died.

A post mortem examination gave his cause of death as an injury which led to the brain to be starved of oxygen, caused by hanging.

The death of sports lover Matthew, has devastated his family.

His mum and dad, Julie and Martin Barnes, said: "Matthew was universally liked and highly regarded by everyone.

"He was a young man of great integrity.

"He had been studying for his GCSE exams at his school and he was an accomplished sportsman who held a responsible position of sports captain, carrying out his duties with care and diligence.

"We are devastated by the loss of our much loved son."

Matthew also leaves sister Sarah, nephew James and grandmother Joan.

Oakhill College declined to comment.

Matthew was found at around 6pm last Tuesday and police are not treating the death on Saturday as suspicious.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned and a spokesperson said: "An investigation into the reasons behind Matthew's death is ongoing."

The funeral service will take place at St Peter's Church, Salesbury, on Monday at 10.30am, followed by cremation at Pleasington Crematorium.

Matthew's family have asked donations, instead of flowers, be given to the Papyrus charity, which deals with young suicide.