A MUM has paid tribute to her “extraordinary” teenage son, who has died.

Luis Temple, 15, was a student at The Chantry School, near Worcester, and died on Sunday, February 11, leaving his mum Alison, dad Wayne and 12-year-old brother Rommi.

“He was larger-than-life in his character,” said Mrs Temple, of Stourport-on-Severn. “I can't believe he was my son.”

“He was a real people person. We're biased, as parents, but he was something extraordinary.

“It’s funny, we just hadn’t realised how much kindness he had. He just wanted to make sure everybody smiled. If anyone looked a bit low he cheered them up, took them under his wing.”

Mrs Temple explained that friends of her son made a tribute to him on the steps by the fountain on South Quay, in Worcester, because he loved to go there and look over the river.

Luis, a keen bass guitar player, had had lessons and done work experience at The Swan Hotel in Stourport, a popular music venue.

“He couldn’t wait to be 16, because they’d told him to come back and work there,” said his mum. “It was just the sort of place that would have suited him.”

Mrs Temple said The Chantry School, where younger brother Rommi has just started, hosted two memorial services outside the music room, where Luis hung round at break times with friends.

She said at the informal services, held on Tuesday (13) and Friday (16), her and her husband talked about Luis and what he meant to them.

“One by one some of the children would come up, tears down their cheeks. They didn’t know what to say, so we talked to them. We were all just remembering him together.”

After that, Luis’ parents both agreed that the tributes should be taken home, to “let everybody at the school have a fresh start after the half-term”.

Mrs Temple said the family are also raising money for a ‘buddy bench’ to be put outside the music room, for lonely pupils, which the school have approved.

The idea is, anybody who passes the bench and sees someone there, will stop and comfort them.

A crowd funding page has been set up for the bench and, once it’s installed, a plaque in memory of Luis will be added.

“He was lonely when he started at the school,” explained Mrs Temple.

“He never forgot that, and he always made sure nobody else was lonely or upset, as a result.

“We want to continue the legacy that Luis carried through the school, to make sure no-one is sad or lonely or being bullied. He didn’t do it on purpose, it was just his natural ability.”

In a statement, Chantry head teacher Dr Andrew Dickenson said: “It is with the deepest regret that we have learnt of the sudden and untimely death of Luis Temple, one of our Year 11 pupils.

“Luis was a tremendous character. Bright, cheerful and always ready with a smile, Luis was a friend to so many.

“The school community is in shock.

“We are supporting our pupils as you would expect and will be opening a book of memories to remember and celebrate Luis.

“Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to Luis’ family and friends.”

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/luis-temple to donate for the ‘buddy bench’.