FAMILY and friends of a trainee hairdresser from Rossendale were today trying to come to terms with his death.

Mark Tattersall, 18, of Rawtenstall, died in hospital after being treated for heart problems.

His funeral will be held at St James the Less RC Church, Rawtenstall, on Wednesday.

Mark was an apprentice at Chris Moffatt's Headmasters salon, Bacup Road, Waterfoot.

He was previously a student at St Mary's College, Blackburn and a former pupil at All Saints RC High School, Rawtenstall and St Peter's RC Primary School, Newchurch-in-Rossendale.

Father David Lupton, who will lead the service at St James, said: "The family is absolutely devastated and a lot of young people in the area have been affected by this tragedy."

He said Mark's family, who moved to Rawtenstall from Newchurch around 18 months ago, were too upset to talk about their son's death.

Mark also worked as a part-time barman at Madison Park wine bar, Rawtenstall.

Manager Pat Carter said: "It's a huge tragedy. We're feeling it here really badly because he was so well liked.

"I know it's a cliche to say it but he really loved life and he had so many friends." Mr Carter said Mark had worked at the bar for two years, starting off as a glass collector and then working behind the bar.

"He'd been in hospital about three or four weeks, first at Burnley General and then at Wythenshawe Hospital," he added.

"He had a heart problem. We were expecting him home this weekend."

Year 11 pupils at All Saints, where Mark's sister Lindsay and brother Gary are still pupils, held a private service on Friday.

A service will be held at the school at the same time as the ceremony at St James'.

Head Mike Brennan said: "He was a very pleasant and charming young man, always smiling and always polite.

"Everyone here is devastated by his death."

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