John Marsh, 15, died after he was attacked with a knife during a heated row near to his home in Sutton Heath, St Helens, on Saturday night.

An accomplised rugby league player, he was described a "popular and fun-loving" in an emotive statement released by his parents John and Tracey, together with his step-dad Steven.

"John was a very loving and kind young man and he will be greatly missed by all of his family," they said.

"He was very popular and had a lot of school friends in the Golborne area. He was fun to be around and he loved telling jokes and making us all laugh.

"John loved sport and when he was younger he won many accolades for playing rugby, and was often named man of the match.

"He will be missed by all of his family - especially his nan, Auntie
Debbie and her partner Gary, with whom he was particularly close."

John, who had recently moved from Wigan to St Helens to live with his father, was fatally wounded following a street disturbance on Hempstead Close, Sutton Heath, at about 11.40pm on Saturday.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and hospital specialists, the youngster, known as 'Marshy' to his rugby teammates at Haydock under 15s, succumbed to his injuries in hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The scene remained sealed off by police earlier this week following a series of detailed forensic examinations and a weapon has been recovered.

A minute's silence will now be observed at rugby matches across the North West this weekend in John's memory.

David Lythgoe, the headteacher at Golborne High, paid tribute to the youngster earlier this week.

He said: "John was a very popular and charismatic young man, well known by all year groups in school. He was outgoing and confident, able to mix comfortably with adults and pupils alike. He will be greatly missed by all in school."

A web page created in John's memory on the Facebook social networking site - entitled RIP John Marsh You Will Be Missed - has also been flooded with hundreds of poignant tributes.

Among the messages is one posted by Naomi Greenall which reads: "RIP darling. It's a horrible tragedy. It's obvious you blessed so many lives with your presence. May you now be an angel looking down on us guiding your family and friends through such troubling times as this."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact detectives on 0151 777 1576 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

* A 17-year-old boy from the Thatto Heath area of St Helens was remanded in custody on Monday after being charged with murder. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear before St Helens Youth Court on December 1 prior to a committal date at Liverpool Crown Court on January 4.
A 44-year-old woman, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and perverting the course of justice has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.