The parents of a popular 20-year-old have paid tribute to their “son in a million”.

Graham and Nicola Armstrong, of Lamb Street, Upperby, Carlisle, spoke to the News & Star following the death of their son, Harry, 20, who died on April 7.

Nicola, 48, said: “He was a happy, bubbly lad. He was full of life and loved going out with his friends. He was a son in a million.

“He was very into his appearance. His hair had to be right and he liked his clothes. The hairdryer was always on!”

Graham, 52, said: “He was the kind of lad who would come and just give you a cuddle for no reason. That was Harry.”

After attending Upperby School and Trinity School, Harry started studying and working with Carlisle United for a BTEC futsal scholarship and more recently a degree through the University of South Wales in Cardiff covering sports science.

His brother Jack, 22, said: “He loved football - particularly Arsenal. He knew loads of random facts about football and he liked playing on the PS4 and Fifa with myself and my dad.”

Harry left his home that Sunday night saying he was going to see a friend, but never arrived.

Nicola, a pharmacy technician at the Cumberland Infirmary, said: “His friend knew nothing about the visit.”

The family had recently returned from a holiday in Tenerife.

Nicola said: “We had a wonderful time. Harry liked playing pool on the table in the villa and swimming.”

Graham said: “He enjoyed going into the mountains in Tenerife. He’d borrowed a camera from a friend and seemed to be taking an interest in photography.”

Last year, Harry won Student of the Year at the Carlisle United awards.

At the time of the ceremony he was away studying in Cardiff so asked his parents to collect the award for him.

Graham, a handyman, said: “We knew nothing about it until he rang to say could we go and collect it. He just said it wasn’t a big thing but we were proud.”

Harry’s funeral, organised by his aunt and funeral director Jill Glencross, will be held today (TUES) at 1pm at St John’s Church in Upperby,

followed by a committal at

Carlisle Crematorium at 1.40pm.

The congregation is invited to wear bright colours to celebrate Harry’s life.

A reception will be held afterwards at Carlisle United. Donations can be made to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

Nicola said: “There will be no hymns at the service. We want to play Harry’s music.”

Jack added: “He was a fan of The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and All Time Low.”

Ed Sheeran’s song, Castle on the Hill, will be played at the crematorium while a montage of pictures showing Harry, his friends and former girlfriend, Amy Davies, is shown.