TRIBUTES have been paid to a 21-year-old who died at an East Lancashire reservoir.

Friends and family of Ben Heany have set up a JustGiving fundraising page to help pay for the funeral costs of the former Shuttleworth College student.

He drowned at Ogden Reservoir on Sunday.

The page has generated more than £690 in two days and events have been planned to raise cash.

Organisers of the page, Daryl Graham and Peter Denwood, have led the tributes to Ben who was affectionately known as the 'gentle giant'.

Daryl, aged 27, said: "Ben was a lovely lad and enjoyed socialising with friends.

"He was a happy go lucky person and to see his family and friends affected by his death is making us more keen to help give some money to them.

"He worked at the Best One shop in Padiham and I also knew him from working with him.

"I used to coach him football when he was younger."

Peter added: "Everybody is devastated about the news.

"Ben was a guy who would do anything for anybody.

"He was really quiet and loved to play darts and football.

"We are still in shock.

"Everybody wants to help the family."

A football match has been lined up for July 20 at the Fennyfold Playing Fields and there will be an event at the Shakespeare Hotel on Wytham Street in Padiham.

Daryl has been impressed by the response by the community to the events.

He said: "We have got four football teams signed up and each player pays £10 and the money is going to family.

"He was 21-years-old, his family were not expecting to be burying him at his age and we want to help them.

"We are looking for raffle prizes for the event so if anyone wants to donate them then get in touch.

"It is amazing to see how many people have donated to the page."

Peter added: "We have had a lot of people offering to bake cakes, or even provide bouncy castles for the football event.

"Ben used to play in charity football games so it is good that people are trying to support him."

A target of £3,000 has been set on the Justgiving page.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-heany