A COMMUNITY is in mourning after the sudden death of a popular teenager.

Tributes have been pouring in for Pershore High School student Scott Holden, who died on Christmas Eve.

The school’s headteacher, Clive Corbett, said the news had come as a “great shock” and that the 16-year-old, from Pershore, would be very much missed by his fellow students and staff at the school.

“He was a fantastic young man,” said Mr Corbett. “A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of teaching him. I know all of the staff at school think a great deal of him.

“He worked very hard and was completely modest. We were confident he was going to achieve great things next summer. He was very kind-hearted. My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone at Pershore are with his family.”

A keen footballer, Scott joined Drakes Broughton Rangers Football Club about 18 months ago as an all rounder and primarily played as a striker this season in the under 16s side.

Ian Wilcox, club secretary, said: “Everybody involved with Drakes Broughton Rangers FC are totally devastated with the sudden loss of Scott.

“Scott has been a hugely popular member of our U16s side since joining the club, and was a credit to his family and our FC.

“After watching the side last month I spoke to Steve Goode (coach) about possible players of the season and Scott was the first name we both mentioned, as not only was he very skillful, he was also an unselfish team player.

“I would like to thank both Crowle FC and Fladbury FC U16s for their kind words at such a difficult time.”

Dozens of messages of condolence have also been left on Facebook sites set up in memory of Scott, who was was studying for his GCSEs.

One tribute described him as “a good friend and a great person”, while another said he would be “missed by a lot of people”.

The circumstances surrounding Scott’s death are not yet known.