The mum of 14-year-old Liam Hardy has paid tribute to her popular son.

Liam Hardy, a pupil at Carshalton Boys Sports College, was rushed to hospital after he was found hanging on Monday, November 19, at his grandparents' home in Stonecot Hill, Sutton.

While he lay in an induced coma he was christened by his sea cadet chaplain with close family members present.

His mother, Janine Hardy, refused to give up on Liam and spoke to him about the baptism and celebrating the event when he was better.

Liam died on Tuesday, November 27. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Tributes have flooded in for the popular 14-year-old and a memorial has been set up in front of his school. It has been covered with flowers and hundreds of messages.

Ms Hardy said: “Liam was, and still is, my world - both my sons are. He was, and still is, very much loved by all his family and the many other people he came into contact with.

"We shared some fantastic times together at home, at weekends and on summer holidays.

"Liam had lots of friends and would get on with everyone, touching the hearts of everyone he met.

"Although a typical teenage boy with his love of sports and music, he had a very kind hearted and helpful nature - happy to run errands to the local shop for his Mum, take the rubbish outside, or hold a door open for you enter.

"He had a very special bond with his Grandad and was extremely close to his younger brother and was very protective of him.

"Liam had the capability to be quiet but also to burst into life and be bubbly. 

"He would enjoy spending time on his games console and playing his music, which he loved. If music was on when Liam came home, it would be no surprise for me to find Liam dancing around the room.

"On one occasion at school Liam was being a DJ as part of his studies and put on a performance. Liam finished by playing a Stevie Wonder song. He did this because I was in the audience and he knew it was my favourite.

"He was also involved in dancing at school and took part in dancing shows at the Secombe Theatre.

"The family would like to thank their family and friends, and Liam’s school, for their love, support and kind words at this difficult time. We will miss Liam every day."

Liam has been described as popular teenager and was known for his DJing, basketball and support for Arsenal Football Club.

He had a keen interest in the navy and liked to visit Portsmouth at the weekends looking at the ships and naval buildings.

As a member of the sea cadets Liam travelled on the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean during its deployment marking this summer’s Olympic Games.

A Facebook page has been set up to remember the teenager and Carshalton Boys Sports College has been inundated with messages of support from parents and the community.

Headteacher Simon Barber said he will be greatly missed by staff and students alike.

He said:  "Liam was a popular boy who was likable, smart and good at sport.

"His loss is felt by everyone at the school and our thoughts are with his family at what must be an incredibly difficult time.

"Our school will do everything we can to support our pupils and staff.

"We would ask others to respect our privacy and that of Liam’s family."

Mr Barber has written to parents with children at the school and counsellors are at the school offering support and guidance to pupils who are affected.