Luke Howe: Boy, 14, found dead in river was the 'biggest character'

Luke Howe's family said he was "one of a kind" who "loved happiness and joy"

A 14-year-old boy whose body was found after he went missing was "the biggest character" and "so full of life", his family have said.

Luke Howe's body was recovered from the River Bollin after he went missing in Hale, Greater Manchester on Thursday.

The teenager, who had learning disabilities, was an "incredible young man", his aunt Jessica Howe said.

A fund launched in his memory has raised more than £40,000 for Luke's school, Brentwood Community College.

Ms Howe said her "one of a kind" nephew was the "greatest people person" who was "massively into the Beatles".

"He loved to talk, he was actually really interested politics, travel, and he also loved weddings, he loved happiness and joy," she said.

Fundraising efforts in Luke's memory have seen more than £40,000 raised

Luke's aunt and his 12-year-old sister Lydia decided to launch the fundraising page on Friday night after the 14-year-old's body was found earlier that evening.

The outpouring of support from people had showed how social media could be "such a force for good", Ms Howe said.

Ms Howe said Luke's family were "incredible people"

"People can be incredible in the darkest times" and the response to the fundraising page for his "amazing" school had been "insane", she added.

"I hope it continues to grow, so we actually have a legacy that will make everyone proud and happy."

The donations are to be used in aid of Brentwood Community College, the special education school in Sale that Luke attended.

Luke Howe sister's Lydia has helped raise funds following his death

The fund was intended to go towards a new soft play area, because there was "nothing he loved more", Ms Howe said.

"If there's something good that can come out of this for an incredible school that does so many amazing things for other children with similar challenges to our Luke, that will be something that will sustain us through."