AN "excellent" student who was found dead in a park in Tottington days after sitting his last GCSE exam, had achieved superb grades.

Tom Gallagher was discovered by police on Saturday, July 11, after officers had been called to Old Kays Park, off Turton Road, a short distance from his home in Holcombe Road.

The 16-year-old, who was due to take A-levels in Maths, Additional Maths, German and Physics at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School and had ambitions to study at Oxford, achieved eight A* grades in the exams sat in May and June.

A spokesman from the school said: “It is with great sadness that we celebrate Tom’s GCSE achievements, eight A* and three A grades along with a half GCSE at grade A, having mourned his passing back in July this year.

“Tom was an excellent student who was adept within many subject areas and had a persistently enquiring mind.

“His twin passions – mathematics and German – were noted by many. We will miss Tom as our sixth form returns in September.”

Hundreds of friends and family members attended Tom's funeral at St Hilda’s Church last month and he was also honoured in a memorial service organised by schoolfriends, who raised more than £1,300 in his name.

The money was initially raised to fund the remembrance ceremony, in which more than 200 balloons with individual tributes attached were released, but will now also be put towards creating a permanent memorial at the school.

Two family video tributes to Tom, whose 15-year-old brother Daniel goes to St Gabriel’s High School, have been viewed hundreds of times on Youtube.

A post on the 'R.I.P Thomas Gallagher' Facebook page, which has more than 800 likes, said: "Congratulations to everyone on their results, including Tom. He could've done anything he wanted, but unfortunately couldn't get the chance.

"To me, this means I have to take every opportunity given, because it can so easily be missed and taken away. Tom always enjoyed what he did, and he taught everyone he met to enjoy what they did.

"Tom was such a bubbly person, and I have taken on board everything I learnt from him."

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and an inquest will be held on October 13 at the Phoenix Centre, Heywood.