FAMILY and teachers have been paying tribute to a "wonderful" teenager who died during a school rugby match.

Matthew Bailey, 14, from Broadwindsor, collapsed during Lyme Regis Woodroffe School's fixture at Colyton Grammar School in Devon.

Teachers from both schools tried to revive the teenager on the pitch but he was pronounced dead after being flown to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital by air ambulance. It is thought he may have suffered a heart attack.

Grandmother Janet Tubridy, from Mosterton, said: "He was the most wonderful boy who was the rock of the family. He was so kind, thoughtful and capable."

Matthew was the eldest son of Pip and Paul Bailey, who farm near Broadwindsor. They have two younger boys, Jack and Charlie.

Mrs Tubridy said Matthew was always helping out on the farm and was especially good with his brother Charlie whose foot was injured in an accident two years ago. She said: "When Matthew was going to primary school he was mucking out the horses before he went to school. His relationship with Charlie was so good and the attachment was mutual between them.

"I took them out a few weeks ago and Paul came out carrying Charlie and Charlie turned and looked at Matthew and the look that passed between the two of them, I wish I could have captured that look, it was practically beautiful. Matthew had been his rock as well as that of the family. He did so much work on the farm, he loved it and was looking forward to being a farmer. He was quiet, hard-working, thoughtful, considerate, a lovely boy. He always had a ready smile, he was quiet but so pleasant."

Pupils at Woodroffe School were told about his death in special assemblies. Principal Richard Steward said: "The staff, governors and students of the Woodroffe School are deeply shocked by the death of 14-year-old Matthew Bailey following a tragic accident on the rugby pitch.

"Matthew was a delightful boy who will be very much missed by everyone."

He said he could not say more about the circumstances of Matthew's death at this time.

"We are not able to comment on the details at present except to say that staff involved, from both Colyton and Woodroffe, dealt with the accident in a timely and professional manner and the emergency services were on site very quickly. It was not possible, however, to save Matthew's life," he said.

A coroner will decide if an inquest will be held once the results of a post mortem are known