COLOURFUL balloons were released high into the sky in a poignant tribute to tragic Worcester teenager Sean Stevens.

At 4pm yesterday (Tuesday) about 60 people gathered at the Bilford Road bridge on the Worcester-Birmingham Canal in Perdiswell, where Mr Stevens, 17, died last week.

Mr Stevens, who lived in Pershore with his mother, was described by his friends as a caring person who never put himself first and always had time for everyone.

The organiser of yesterday's event, Christina Lamboune, said: "We all thought this would be a nice thing to do for Sean.

"We are going to put on a fun day for him very soon in order to raise money for his funeral."

Ms Lamboune has also set up a fundraising campaign for a memorial bench to sit at the canal, which she will now be ordering after the campaign reached its £1,000 target in double-quick time.

Friends at the balloon release said that Mr Stevens, a former pupil at Pershore High School and Evesham High School, had a lot of interests, including motocross, partying, playing the guitar and singing.

His friend, Joshua Sumrey, said: "It's hard to believe he's gone as I had only seen him last week, I'm sure others will agree that we shouldn't take our friends and family for granted. He will always be remembered.

Cerys Wright said: "He will be forever and always in our hearts, he was taken too soon. I still cannot come to terms with the fact that he's gone. It doesn't feel real, it never will. I will forever remember our memories."

Other tribute events to Mr Stevens are in the process of being set up.

A football fundraiser for anyone who knew Mr Stevens will be taking place on April 17 and a fun day set to include a bouncy castle and stalls is planned to take place at Perdiswell Park, although no date has been decided for it yet.

Mr Stevens died at about 11.15pm last Thursday, after being pulled from the city's canal.

A 17-year- old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with manslaughter over the incident and is set to re-appear at Worcester Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday).