THE former headteacher of teenager Sean Stevens, who died after being pulled from a canal in Worcester, has paid tribute, calling him a "lovely young man".

Mr Stevens, 17, died in hospital after he was pulled from the canal near Perdiswell Bridge on the evening of Thursday, March 31.

Clive Corbett, headteacher of Pershore High School, where Mr Stevens studied for two years, told the Worcester News the incident was "a real tragedy".

"We only knew him for a short time but he made a positive impact on everybody. He was a very lovely young man, I know that seems easy to say but it is very true," he said. ""He was an extremely positive and lively person who was full of life and above all a good person.

"It is always a terrible shame to lose anyone at that age especially in these circumstances and we feel for all his friends and family."

Mr Stevens joined Pershore High School in September 2011 in year 8 and left in March 2013 in year 10 when he went on to Evesham High School.

The tribute to Mr Stevens comes as friends continue to raise money in tribute to him with memorial events.

These include a fun day, taking place at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester on Saturday, April 30 from 10am until 4pm, organised by his friend Christina Lambourne.

Ms Lambourne said: "I have worked my socks off to get this to happen for Sean and I'm hoping it's going to be an amazing day for him."

A 17-year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with manslaughter after Mr Stevens' death and has been bailed until his next court appearance on Friday, April 23 at Worcester Crown Court.