COLLEAGUES of a tragic teenager found hanging from a tie in his bedroom have rallied round to raise money for his family.

Workmates of Michael Browning, 17, of Beaconsfield Street, Haslingden, collected more than £200 at Texecom, St Crispin Way, Helmshore.

Staff at the security equipment manufacturer made donations the day after they found out about former Haslingden High School pupil Michael's death.

The money was presented to the family by production manager John Green at the company where Michael had recently started as an apprenticeship.

John represented the workforce when he attended Michael's funeral held last Friday in Manchester.

But staff said they are still in shock.

Company Secretary Barbara Powell, said: "We are all still struggling to come to terms with what happened to Michael. He was such a happy-go-lucky person. We still can't understand why it happened.

"He was such a thoughtful person I remember the last thing he said to me before he went home on Friday, he popped his head round the corner and said 'have a lovely weekend Barbara and I'll see you on Monday.'

"Everybody got on with Michael so well, it effected everybody when we found out. Some people were sent home because they were so upset.

"His parents can feel proud that he was such a wonderful person.

"He's one person we'll never forget and we'll all remember him with such a lot of fondness."