Ciaran Geddes, seven, dies after playing with football

Ciaran Geddes was a budding footballer who loved Chester FC

A seven-year-old boy collapsed and died while playing with a football at a school in Cheshire.

Ciaran Geddes was playing on his own at Locking Stumps Community Primary School, in Birchwood, Warrington when he collapsed at 18:15 BST on Tuesday.

He was taken to Warrington District General Hospital but died.

Cheshire Police said a post mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of his death but there are no suspicious circumstances at this stage.

A member of the public found the boy and informed police.

In a statement, his family said: "Ciaran was our young, rising star, he shined brightly in our lives.

"He was taken from us too soon but will never be far from our thoughts and dreams. His football was everything to him, and his beloved Chester FC.

"His smile was infectious and it is how we will remember him."

The school's head teacher, John Littler, said: "The whole school community is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Ciaran and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time."