THE devastated grandfather of a "popular" 14-year-old who collapsed and tragically died on his way to sit his school exams yesterday has described him as a "shining light".

The youngster, named locally as James Hick, was found by concerned neighbours at 9am on Wednesday, who noticed the boy was unconscious and began to administer CPR.

James' grandfather, Harold Hick, paid an emotional tribute to his grandson who played at county level in bowls and was a "fun loving child".

Speaking through tears on the corner of the road where James is believed to have collapsed, Harold, 73, said: "All I would like to say is that he was a shining light. It has taken the feet from right under me.

"James was a fun loving child, he was very popular. He went to Mirfield Free Grammar and had been walking with friends.

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"I don't know exactly what happened, it is a void that none of us know at this time.

"He was not just a grandson to me, he was a mate."

Harold said his beloved grandson, who had four younger brothers, "loved sport" and played at county level in bowls.

He added: "He played for Yorkshire Juniors at Crown Green Bowling.

"James also played for a men's club senior team.

"He played in my team on Tuesday night – his dad was in the first team who were playing in Doncaster.

"I took him home from our game and, apart from his mum, I must have been just about the last adult he spoke with.

"He had his exams coming on Wednesday which I know his school has cancelled.

"I asked him how he thought he would do because he liked his Maths and Physics and he said, 'I will breeze it grandad."

Harold said the news of James' death has "blitzed the family" and James' father had to deliver the devastating news of his tragic death to his grieving younger brothers.

Visibly upset, Harold added: "His brothers obviously know what is happening now.

"I came round here last night and we walked round and saw the three bunches of flowers there.

"It is a tremendous tribute."

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Sharon Mallinson, whose son Jack was James' best friend, spoke from the scene.

She said: "He was my son Jack's best friend. James collapsed but we don't know what happened.

"He passes through here to go to school and I think he was with schoolfriends.

"I don't really know more than that."

Tina Sunderland, who lives opposite the corner of Southway where the teen was found, said: "He was already on the floor when I realised something was happening.

"I saw them all and wondered what was going on. I thought they had got all of their bags on the floor at first.

"People were stopping cars but I didn't know it was serious until later on.

"I didn't see what happened but what people were telling me yesterday was that he was running to catch up with his mates.

"They turned around and said that he wasn't feeling very well and then he tripped up on a stone or something and just went down face first.

"That is what they were telling me last night from school.

"The ambulance and everything came at 8.50am, the responders and police came and they cordoned it all off."

James played football for local Mirfield team Battyeford Sporting Club when he was 12 years old.

Junior Rep Andy Grason said: "We understand the family have asked for some space and privacy at the moment.

"As a club we will, at the right time, pay our respects. Suffice to say that all the club are very saddened by yesterday's sad news."

Many of the floral bunches pay tribute to the popular teen.

One read: "RIP James. You are still in our memories."

Another read: "To James and his family, He will always be in our thoughts and memories and we will always remember you James.

Another tribute said: "Fly high brother. "You may not be in our lives but you're still in our hearts.

"You'll never be forgotten. RIP James."