A VALE teenager who died in a helicopter crash will be remembered for lighting up his family's life at his funeral tomorrow.

James Tartaglia, aged 15, from South Littleton, was killed alongside his father, Allan, when the Jetranger 206B they were travelling in came down in Somerset. James had been on his way back from a trip to Torbay before the tragedy happened, almost two weeks ago.

Gill Tartaglia, James' mother, said: "All mothers say their children are special but James had something unique. His cheeky grin lit up so many people's lives and he loved being that little bit different. Everything had to be Burberry and we always teased him about being a chav - James didn't help himself by buying an over-the-top ring and gold chain.

"James was very close to his family and he used to say he was really lucky to have such lovely people in his life. He wasn't just a typical teenager out with the lads - there was a side of him that loved spending time with his grandparents."

James and his sister Laura were regular visitors to his father's Gloucestershire home, where he lived with his wife Debbie and their three-and-a-half -year-old twin boys, Isaac and Ethan. The teenager was also close to his mother's partner Mike and Mike's children Lucas and Kelsey.

Mrs Tartaglia added: "I actually spoke to James and his dad just before the helicopter went up again, and he was having a great time.

I have been told that the crash happened in seconds, which has given me peace of mind right now.

I want James to be remembered as a boy with a fantastic sense of humour, who was having a fantastic time with his dad."

A joint funeral service for James and his father is due to be held at Bishops Cleeve Church tomorrow at 11am, followed by a private burial.

Donations, in lieu of floral tributes, can be made to a trust set up for James' twin brothers.

For further details contact Mason & Stokes funeral directors on 01242 224877.