LANTERNS filled the sky of a Carlisle park in memory of a much-loved teenager who held a place in so many people's hearts.

Connor Armstrong's life was celebrated by about 300 of his family and friends tonight as they gathered to let off lanterns and colourful balloons in Bitts Park in memory of the popular teenager, who suddenly died last Friday.

His friend Niall Sanderson, who helped organise the vigil, said 17-year-old Connor, of Castle Carrock, near Brampton, was a friend to everyone and that people had come from across the area, including Penrith and west Cumbria, to be in Carlisle, with some who couldn't even purchase lanterns because so many had been sold.

"It just shows what Connor was all about. Connor was really all about friends. He knew so many different people from so many different places and that was what was important to him," said Niall, 18, who met Connor two years ago through mutual friends.

As part of the vigil the teenager's friends and family listened to music from some of his favourite artists including Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Fleetwood Mac and UB40.

They gathered at the skate part, one of the places he loved to go to socialise with so many of the people he knew.

A nearby memorial tree is now surrounded by floral tributes, candles and other messages.

Connor was a former Newman School pupil who had been studying travel and tourism at Carlisle College. Tragically he never opened the letter that arrived last Friday telling him he’d passed all of his exams.

He was named locally after police confirmed the body of a young man was found at Middle Gelt Bridge, between Hayton and Talkin, shortly before 7am on Friday, July 29. Cumbria Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Hundreds are expected to attend Connor's funeral service at Carlisle Crematorium at 11.40am on Friday.

Next Friday’s funeral arrangements are being handled by George Hudson & Sons, Wigton Road, Carlisle. Connor’s family requests no flowers as there will be a collection for Mind at the funeral.