A "LOVEABLE" teenage boy and talented cricketer died on Saturday night following an asthma attack.

Tributes have been paid to thirteen-year-old Edward Kent, who tragically passed away in an ambulance on his way to hospital after suffering the attack at his Bere Regis home.

"He was a genuinely lovely young chap who just couldn't stop smiling," said Andrew Mead, head teacher at Lytchett Minster School where Ed was a pupil in Year 9.

Mr Mead said the sudden death of the, "happy, friendly and polite young man" had been a terrible shock to his friends and staff, and his sister Becky, a pupil in Year 11, was particularly in their thoughts and prayers.

"Ed was a very popular and highly respected member of the school community," said Mr Mead. He excelled at cricket which he played for the school, district and village teams.

"The way he conducted himself on the sports field was always exemplary, showing that he was not only highly talented but also magnanimous and gracious," said Mr Mead. A true sportsman, he was quick to acknowledge good play from his opponents.

"He had a most beautiful smile and he carried his smile around with him wherever he went," he said. "He was a delight."

To remember him his year group and others who knew him were among 450 people who gathered for a special assembly on Monday morning. Afterwards Year 9 friends celebrated his life in a cricket-themed drama based dance which was videoed and sent to his parents Andy and Paula.

A minute's silence was observed before the start of a Year 9 football match against Bournemouth School and Lytchett Minster school is proposing a permanent cricket themed memorial to the lad whose talents and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression.

He was also fondly remembered at Sandford St Martin Primary, which he left five years ago. In a website tribute head teacher Jeremy Payne said, "there are many colleagues who remember his personality and energetic zest for life vividly".

Mr Payne said the word staff most used about him was "loveable". He said: "He was the kind of boy that everyone knew and everyone was delighted to know. He added something unique to our community and as a community we are mourning his loss and wish to send our condolences to his family, his parents Andy and Paula, his sister Becky and to all his friends."