TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Ramsbottom pupil who died after his car smashed into a tree.

Jamie Paton, aged 20, died when his car came off the road and hit a tree close to the Blue Bell Hotel, on the A6 in Heversham, Cumbria.

Jamie, a former pupil at Woodhey High School, was cut free from the car by firefighters, but he died at the scene, at about 10.30pm on September 24.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash, with emergency services having to close the road for several hours.

Brian Roadnight, headteacher at Woodhey, said his family is well known at the school, as Jamie's older brother Stuart also studied there.

Mr Roadnight said: “All the staff at the school were devastated to hear the news of Jamie’s death.

“He was a quiet but confident and reliable pupil.

“We remember him as someone who liked to play the guitar and who enjoyed having competitions to see how long he could grow his hair.

“We were all very sad to hear that his life was taken tragically."

His family also paid tribute to Jamie, who lived in Levens, Cumbria, in a statement released by police.

The statement read: “We are shattered by his sudden passing following a car accident.

“Jamie will be remembered by us for his passion for music, amazing guitar-playing and love for cars.

"He was very generous and kind-hearted combined with a cheeky sense of humour.”