THE mother of a teenager fatally injured in the street told today how she pleaded with him to look into her eyes as he lay dying.

Sean Whyte, 17, of North Street, Colne, died from stab wounds after police received reports of a disturbance near his home on Monday night.

He lived with his mum Mary, 36, and three brothers and sisters.

Mary has paid tribute to her eldest son, "the joker of the family", who moved to Colne from Dundee seven months ago.

Dozens of floral tributes have been laid close to the place where he died, in North Street, and police forensic teams were still examining the scene for evidence yesterday.

Mary said: "I still can't believe it. Sean would never have hurt anyone and was a really good person.

"I saw him lying in the street and I held his hand. His eyes were staring straight up at the sky and I just kept saying 'Please, look at your mum'.

"Sean was such a good lad, always full of fun and full of life. He was a real entertainer and always said he wanted to be on Pop Idol. His favourite song was Evergreen, by Will Young, but he also loved Elvis and used to sing All Shook Up to me. I will always remember him with a smile.

"He was looking for a job as an IT apprentice and had a girlfriend. He had so many plans for the future."

Sean's elder sister Catherine, 19, added: "He was a very good listener and was looking forward to getting a job. Sean had so much too live for and he didn't deserve this."

His grandmother Bella, 60, who has travelled from Scotland to be with the family, said: "My grandson was the most beautiful, normal person there was. He was a gently giant and would never hurt anyone.

"The whole family is in shock."

Hasan Mumtaz, 18, of North Street, Colne, has been charged with murder and violent disorder. His brother Wasim Mumtaz, 20, of the same address, has been charged with a section 18 wounding offence against a woman and violent disorder.