A GRIEVING York father today paid tribute to his "happy and outgoing" son, who tragically collapsed and died in front of his school classmates.

Jamie Bucknell, 14, died yesterday during an English lesson at Huntington School, York.

His father Keith said: "Jamie was a happy and outgoing boy. He was up for anything, he just loved life.

"Everything he did, he did with a big smile on his face. He loved everybody and everybody loved him."

Year 10 pupils at Huntington School were today still in shock at the suddenness of Jamie's death.

After he collapsed, shortly before lunchtime, he was taken to York District Hospital but all efforts to revive him failed. It was the second time Jamie had collapsed and needed resuscitating at school. A post-mortem has revealed that Jamie died of natural causes. No inquest will be held.

Pupils were told of Jamie's death yesterday in an afternoon assembly. Children in his class are to be offered counselling by a City of York Council educational services team.

Mr Bucknell, of Brecks Lane, Strensall, added that he and the rest of his family are trying to come to terms with the tragedy. He said they have now been told that Jamie suffered from a heart condition.

Mr Bucknell said: "Obviously we are all absolutely devastated. Extensive tests were carried out on his heart at York District Hospital after he collapsed before, but they found nothing.

"Then they were supposed to look at his brain, over at Jimmy's in Leeds, but we never got the appointment."

No-one from either hospital was available for comment at the time of going to press. Head teacher, Chris Bridge, said a routine police investigation into the death was continuing. Special prayers were said for Jamie at today's school assembly.

"Jamie was a bright student who was making good progress at school and we had set him high targets," he said.

"Sadly, in spite of medical help being very quickly on the scene, it proved impossible to revive him.

"All of our staff are fully trained in First Aid and a teacher, Robert Marks, administered mouth-to-mouth.

"Jamie was a very popular pupil who will be greatly missed by members of his form, all the members of his year group and pupils from many other years as well as his teachers.

"He was particularly popular with his own form group. Huntington School is greatly shocked by what has happened."

Fellow pupil, Charlotte Riley, 15, of Strensall, said: "He was a happy person who everyone liked.

"The news is a big shock to everyone and we are all thinking about his family and friends." Jamie's former form teacher, Louise Goundry, added: "Jamie was a very lively and curious student who was very focused about his studies and what he wanted to do once he left school.

"He was keen on watersports and played rugby for the school team. He was very popular with his classmates and was always very good in teamwork situations."

Updated: 14:31 Tuesday, November 13, 2001