School tribute to Danny (17) found dead in Brierfield

Danny Collins (17), who until recently had been living at Haverholt Children’s Home in Colne, was found by police at 10am on Wednesday at a property in Chapel Street.

Shuttleworth College deputy headteacher Mr Paul Thompson said he remembered a “challenging” young lad who showed a great deal of potential.

“He came to us in November, 2009, so he was here for just under two years.

“He was quite challenging but he did have a side to him that you could get through to. If you showed him a bit of respect then you got it back. I had a lot of dealings with Danny and I got on really well with him. He attended regularly and was popular with most of the other pupils. He kept himself to himself and was somebody who liked to keep fit.”

Mr Thompson said Danny enjoyed the school’s boxing programme but he was also somebody who excelled academically.

“We put him forward for his maths GCSE a year early and he got a B, so he was definitely not without academic ability.

“The school is very sad because we have lost one of our own. We see ourselves as a family at Shuttleworth and you don’t like to lose one of your family.”

Danny had been reported missing on Tuesday night. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.