A SCHOOL has paid a moving tribute to a teenager who died suddenly.

Tom Purdy, 15, of West Bradford, died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, last week after suffering a ruptured appendix.

Tom, a year 10 pupil at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, had earlier been admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

He leaves his parents, Andrew and Debbie, and younger brother Sam, 13.

Clitheroe Royal Grammar headteacher Judith Child said: "Tom's sudden death has greatly saddened and devastated our school community.

"Tom was a much loved and talented student who was a great friend to so many.

"We are very proud of the way that Tom's year group have coped with their loss.

"They have comforted and supported each other tremendously and have created a wall of memories, messages and photographs to celebrate Tom's life.

"We are all feeling very sad but our personal and collective grief does not compare with the loss Tom's family are experiencing.

"All our thoughts are with Tom's family, his brother Sam, a year eight student at our school, and Tom's friends."

Friends and family of popular Tom packed St Helen's Church in Waddington for his funeral service.

Among the mourners were teachers from his former school, Waddington and West Bradford Primary, where Debbie is a teaching assistant.

Tom was also a former player at Clitheroe Wolves Under-14s.

His family have asked for donations to Alder Hey Children's Hospital's Imagine appeal by going to www.justgiving.com/samuel-purdy.