Heartbroken parents have paid an emotional tribute to their son who tragically died at the age of 17 saying he brought them 'so much joy and happiness'.

Joseph Holt from Little Lever - known as Joe to those who loved and knew him - died earlier this month after a tragic accident.

His parents Andrew and Suzanne paid tribute to their 'lovely boy' ahead of his funeral on Friday.

Joseph was a first-year student at Bolton College.

Mrs Holt said: “He made everything worthwhile for us. He just gave us so much joy and happiness all the time.”

Mr Holt said: “He was a lovely boy.

“He was 17 and was in his first year at Bolton College.

“He liked playing with his friends, he was going to turn 18 later this year, we had a lot of plans for that. I am preparing my speech for his funeral.

“I will say how devastated we are.

“It is very difficult now. He had his whole life in front of him, it is not fair.

“We can’t accept it, we can’t deal with it.”

The funeral will take place at St Matthew’s Church in Little Lever on Friday at 10.30am.

The internment will take place at Radcliffe Cemetery at 11.30am.

The funeral notice states: “He is much loved and will always be remembered.”

Joseph was born in Bury and lived in Little Lever.

An inquest opened into the tragedy and it was heard that Joseph had died after a canoeing accident in the River Croal.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital after an extensive search took place for him in the water near Raikes Lane in Bolton.

A full inquest into the death with take place in September this year.