HARRISON Ledsham would have been touched by the support and messages of condolence sent to loved ones, his family told the Star this week.

Aussie rugby league superstar Greg Inglis, former Saints skippers Paul Sculthorpe and Paul Wellens and Dragons' Dens Duncan Bannatyne have sent personal tributes via Twitter to his parents.

A number of local junior rugby clubs held a silent tribute to the former Blackbrook Royals player last weekend and Saints fans rose in the 12th minute of their game against York last Friday for a minute's applause for the brave youngster.

Mum Karen said: "We can't believe the reaction. We have said many times he is special to us but every child is special to their parents. But the messages we have received has been unbelievable.

"Its' such a shame he's not here to see it because he wouldn't have believed it. He was made up to shake Greg Inglis's hand so he would be made up about the message he sent.

"There have been messages from Wigan and Warrington supporters. I am on Twitter but Harrison understood social media more. He used to tell me when things went viral."

She said that his death has been felt by pupils at his school Haydock High who opened a book of condolence.

Many are expected to attend Harrison's funeral which will take place this Saturday (May 23) from 11am at St Mark's Church on West End Road.

Karen said: "I'm not sure how many people will be coming. All we are asking is that people just wear anything they want. Even if it's a rugby kit. It will be quite relaxed. Then we will be having a get together later just for family and friends."

Karen said that many people have visited their Haydock home since Harrison died. She said: "We have just been saying come when you want and it's been lovely. But then they go home and it's horrible. The house is so quiet. My dad described it now as a house rather than a home. It's just bricks.

"People will stop coming after this week but it's not what we want."