A family is in mourning following the unexplained death of a 23-year-old man.

Mark Mahon, a keen football fan from Radcliffe, died on September 4.

Mark was found dead at his flat in Warwick Street, Prestwich, where he had recently moved to.

His funeral took place at East Lancashire Crematorium in Radcliffe on September 16.

It is not yet known what caused his death. An inquest was opened and adjourned on September 9 and will resume at a later date.

Some of Mark’s ashes will be scattered at Anfield next April, as he was a keen Liverpool Football Club fan. A tribute group called RIP Mark Mahon on internet site Facebook has, to date, attracted 246 members and 75 messages.

He leaves father Tony, mother Jeanette, sisters Caroline, Lesley, Annemarie, Susan and Angela and brother Anthony.

Mark went to junior school in Radcliffe and then Chaigley Residence School in Lymm.

His mum, Jeanette, who lives in Radcliffe, said: “Mark enjoyed the Lymm school immensely. His favourite teacher was Mr Mac, who even set up a running club at the school for Mark.

“He was a very popular boy and ran cross-country races, which he enjoyed immensely.

“You could ask Mark any question about sport and he would be able to answer, particularly when it came to football. “He has many certificates — the ones we are most proud of are his silver and bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards. We will treasure them. He will be truly missed by so many people.”

She added: “The whole of the family would like to thank funeral director Jeanette Tannock and the staff from Co-op Funeral Care in Radcliffe for their fantastic help.

Miss Tannock added: “It is clear that this young many was greatly popular, very much loved and had a caring, warm personality.

“I am certain that he will always be remembered dearly and through his family he will live on.”