THE distraught family of schoolboy James Mather today appealed for help in solving the mystery surrounding the gas canister believed to have killed him.

And the relatives of the Oswaldtwistle teenager said the tragic case should act as a warning to others.

Speaking on behalf of the family, uncle Joseph Barnes said the parents of 14-year-old James Edward Mather, of Melbourne Street, Oswaldtwistle, were devastated and were desperate to know where the gas canister found near to James' body came from -- and for whoever gave it to him to be traced.

Arthur and Betty Mather, both 53, were too distressed to speak in public about what happened to their son, who died after being found collapsed in a suspected gas sniffing den.

Detective Inspector Steve Ashley said yesterday a butane gas canister had been recovered at the scene and they were making inquiries about whether James had been sniffing from it.

A post-mortem examination yesterday proved inconclusive and further tests are now being done.

The pupil of Moorhead High School, Cromwell Avenue, Accrington, was found slumped in a hideaway at the junction of John Street and Merlin Drive, by a friend who dragged him 50 yards to an old people's home to raise the alarm after going to a shop.

He was rushed to Blackburn Infirmary at 5.15pm but died later. Paramedics had also tried to resuscitate the teenager at the scene.

The couple had their only son after 13 years of trying for a baby were too distressed to speak about the tragedy.

Joseph, of Reeth Way Accrington, said: "If sniffing gas is the cause of his death it is a tragedy.

"We want people to help us find out what happened and why and if people are at fault for giving him the gas or even selling it to him then they should be brought to justice.

"But this is not just about blaming a parent or a shopkeeper. It is about modern society and people who see something and turn the other cheek.

"We want those who saw anything that could help the inquiry to come forward like James' friends have done. "They are all in tears and can't believe what has happened.

"If it is true that it was gas that killed him we would like it to act as a warning to other people. Please be careful and don't do this sort of thing.

"We have no answers yet and that means his parents can't grieve."

Mr Barnes said the hospital staff at Blackburn Infirmary did their best to keep James alive but tragically he lost his life after a long battle.

He added: "I am not trying to paint him as an angel but he was a polite lad, well mannered and if you speak to local people they will tell you he didn't go around effing and blinding. He had a lot of hobbies. He used to go fishing with his cousin on the canal and he liked the funfair. He loved ice-skating and go-karting. But I have no criticism of them at all. They were marvellous.

"We are mystified about what caused his death though I think speculation will only cause his family more distress. We are all desperate to know how this happened. We just don't have any ideas at the moment and until we have more information, I wouldn't like to speculate about it. His mum and dad are in a sort of limbo and cannot speak publicly.

"And I have no idea which shop he went to and how many of his friends were there, though I did speak to one of them who was pretty shaken up.

"He was such a cheerful lad and was very popular and outgoing. We will all miss him and his parents can't believe he has gone."

Anyone who saw what happened should call the police on 01254 353741.