CROWDS gathered to remember the life of tragic teenager Ash Farkoosh.

Friends and well-wishers in Halliwell joined together this afternoon at Thomasson Park to hold a solemn vigil for the 17-year-old Bolton College pupil.

The young man was found in the park in the early hours of Sunday morning by emergency services and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tears were shed as one of the teenager’s closest friends, who had known him since they were just 12 years old, spoke to the crowd about how Ash “always had a smile on his face”.

Candles, flowers and touching tributes were laid at the edge of the park, while other young people released lanterns in Ash’s memory.

Messages on a heart-shaped balloon described the young man as an “angel” and a “best friend and brother”.

School friends and teachers also signed a blue Bolton College shirt, leaving messages saying: “Ash was an outstanding student that will not be forgotten.”

Another message on the shirt, left on the railings of the park, read: “Gone but not forgotten.”

The vigil was led by the congregation of nearby Bolton Brownlow Fold Church.

The church’s pastor Jeremy Smith said: “It’s just a really sad event. “We want to hold a time of peace and bring light to a place of darkness.

“We want to honour the family that have lost their loved one.

“This community is in need of love right now.”

The pastor says he is opening the church from 10am tomorrow for anyone looking for support in the wake of the sad death.

A spokesman from Bolton College added to the tributes, saying: “We have only just found out the news and are shocked and deeply saddened.

“We are providing appropriate support to students and staff and we’d like to pass on our condolences to Ash’s family and friends.”

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.