A VILLAGE was plunged into mourning following the death of a popular and well-loved youngster.

George Cush, 12, died in a tragic accident at his home in London Road, Davenham, on Saturday afternoon.

He attended the County High School, Leftwich, and was a committed member of Davenham Scouts and the Davenham Dynamoes under 12s football team.

The circumstances are not known, but George was found unconscious in his bedroom. Despite attempts by his family, paramedics and staff at Leighton Hospital, he did not regain consciousness.

In a statement to the Chronicle, his devastated parents Hilary Belshaw and Andy Cush spoke of the joy George brought to their lives.

They said he had just spent a great day with his friends at home, playing basketball and on the guitar, and was getting ready for a sleepover at his friend's house.

'George was the best kid anyone could wish for. It goes without saying the loss his close family will feel, but George's death has hit the whole community.'

The family added that George, who played in a band with his brother Sam and had just celebrated his first birthday, was a 'quietly confident boy, a talented artist with a keen sense of humour that will be missed by all who knew him.'

Alan Sieber, headteacher at the County High, said: 'The whole school community is shocked and saddened to learn the tragic news.

'George was a wonderful, talented and popular boy with a passion for sport and great promise in many areas of school life. He will be sadly missed.

'We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family.'

Davenham Dynamoes manager Adrian Smith described George as a 'marvellous footballer' with a lot of promise.

'He was a very modest boy, he never complained and never put a foot wrong. He got on with everyone,' he said. The team called off Sunday's match as a mark of respect.

Davenham Scouts also called off their meeting yesterday (Tuesday) and leaders are looking into erecting some kind of memorial in the garden which George and his fellow scouts helped to create at Davenham Church Hall.