THE mum of Worcester teenager Sean Stevens, who died after being rescued from a city canal, has paid tribute to her son saying he "lived life to the fullest".

The 17-year-old died just hours after he was pulled from Bilford Top Lock on the Worcestershire and Birmingham Canal, on March 31.

Mr Stevens' mum, Lucy Marshall, told the Worcester News she wanted to thank everyone for their kind messages and well wishes since the tragic incident, ahead of his funeral which takes place tomorrow in Pershore Abbey.

Ms Marshall said she will remember her son as a happy and active child when he grew up in Pershore, where he lived with her, his brother and stepdad.

Ms Marshall said Mr Stevens developed a love of motorbikes and motocross at the age of five, going to race tracks all over the Midlands and joining Team Valley Motocross Club.

"At the age of 10 he suffered an accident on a track in Bromsgrove, where he was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by Midlands Air Ambulance," Ms Marshall said.

"Fortunately he only suffered severe bruising - he soon got back on the bikes."

Ms Marshall described her son as a typical teenager, who attended Abbey Park first and middle school, before moving to Pershore High School then De Montfort School in Evesham to further his education.

Ms Marshall said: "School life didn't really suit Sean and he was offered a scheme where he could be in a work placement attending the Heart of England College in Malvern and Pershore.

"He held a work placement at B&P joinery learning, and enjoyed the trade."

She said she will also remember Mr Stevens as a very artistic young man, particularly for his love of music as he learned to play the acoustic and electric guitar.

Ms Marshall added: "He had a love of life and certainly lived it to its fullest always putting his friends before himself.

"He will be missed by many and remembered as a very cheeky lovable rogue."

Mr Stevens' funeral is being held at the abbey at noon tomorrow, followed by a private burial.

His family are encouraging donations in his memory to be made to the Midlands Air Ambulance, as they helped him in the motocross accident.

These donations can be left with the abbey, or sent to C/O Bedwardine Funeral Services, 1 St John's, Worcester, WR2 5AE.

*A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with manslaughter following Mr Stevens' death. He is next set to appear at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, June 24.