James Ormston, 17, was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital after he collapsed at his Hebburn home.

He was transferred to Newcastle General Hospital, where his family had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support machine, after tests revealed he was brain-dead.

His family are now trying to come to terms with the loss of the fun-loving, motorcycle-mad teenager.

Dad Billy, of Victoria Road East, Hebburn, said: "We were really proud of him. He had everything to live for. James was my mate, as well as my son."

Days before his collapse James, who worked with his 44-year-old dad at the family business, Bill's Motorcycles in Berkley Way, Hebburn, had complained of suffering from headaches.

Up until then, his family said he seemed his normal happy-go-lucky self – even playing happily with Max, the family's Lakeland terrier.

Mum Michelle, 42, said: "James was always having a joke, always taking the mick out of me. He loved having a laugh."

The family agreed to take James off his ventilator after surgery to stop bleeding to his brain was unsuccessful and tests on his brain stem revealed no activity.

Mr Ormston said: "The doctors made the decision for us. Test after test showed there was no hope."

James had a lifelong passion for motorcycles, and had even restored a vintage Yamaha, which he often rode to South Shields coast.

His family, including sister Kim, 22, would also take motorcycle holidays together to Spain.

Mr Ormston added: "James didn't drink, didn't smoke and didn't swear – he had too much respect for adults. He was a good lad."