AN 11-year-old boy was found hanged at his home just hours after playing in the street with friends.

Police and paramedics were called to the family home of Tyler Johns in Corring Way, Hall i’ th’ Wood, at 8pm on Wednesday.

Yesterday, as his devastated family struggled to come to terms with the tragedy, neighbours paid tribute to the youngster.

A resident of North Way, who asked not to be named, said: “My son was good friends with Tyler and he is heartbroken.

“They had been playing outside and came in for tea, and when he want back round to call for Tyler, he saw him being carried into the ambulance.

“My son thought Tyler was being bullied by some children, but he would not talk about it.

“I really feel for the family, I cannot imagine what they must be going through. It is a tragedy.”

Tyler’s parents, Lee and Wendy, were too upset to speak about what happened.

The youngster was a pupil at Smithills School.

A police spokesman said: “There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the case has been passed to the coroner.”