A BOOK of remembrance is to be opened at a Lancaster school after one of its students was found dead at the weekend.

Skerton Community High School pupil Ryan Ireland was found by a family friend at his Sycamore Grove home on Lancaster's Marsh estate at 6.30am on Sunday.

Paramedics were called but Ryan was pronounced dead at his home.

A post-mortem was carried out to determine what caused the 15-year-old's death, but it proved inconclusive.

Police are now awaiting the results of a toxicology test to see whether drugs played a part.

They say three men were interviewed and have been released without charge.

Detectives have also inter-viewed various family members to establish Ryan's last movements.

And they are appealing for help from anyone who may know where Ryan was between 6pm and 9pm on Saturday.

Ryan's death has shaken the local community.

Head teacher at Skerton High John Strivens said: "We were very shocked to hear of the death of Ryan. Ryan had recently returned to this school and was making good progress. He was a nice lad - it is a real tragedy."

He added: "Our sympathy goes out to Ryan's family and the school will do what it can to support them at this time."

Mr Strivens told the Citizen the school has made a quiet room available for students upset by Ryan's death.

"We have offered help and counselling to people, or they can simply come and talk.

"We are planning a book of remembrance for kids to write in. We have been in touch with the parents but they are still traumatised. This has obviously come as a huge shock."

o To help police, call either Lancaster police station on 01524-63333 or the anonymous Crimestoppers helpline on 0800-555111