Tributes have been paid to a schoolboy who was found dead in Neilston.

The 13-year-old, named locally as Ben McKenzie, attended Eastwood High School, and his headteacher Stuart Maxwell has called the loss ‘an absolute tragedy’.

Police were called to the Luckiesfauld area of Neilston shortly after 3am on Monday before finding a body. It is understood the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Maxwell said: “The thoughts of the whole school community are with the boy’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

“He was a popular pupil with a bright future ahead of him and his loss is an absolute tragedy.

“He will be greatly missed by us all.”

One resident in the area called the news “shocking” and said a number of cars and emergency service vehicles had been present in the street.

Others living nearby had said they were unaware of the tragic death which had occurred in their neighbourhood.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “At 3.15am on Monday, October 1, police received a report a 13-year-old boy had died in Luckiesfauld, Neilston.

“A post mortem examination will be carried out in due course, however the death is not suspicious.”

Further tributes to Ben and his family have been paid online, with friends and locals grief-stricken at the loss of the youngster.

Former schoolmate Taylor Gilmour said: “The fact I used to peer monitor this wee boy when I was in P7 and he was P3 breaks my heart. Taken far too young.”

Molly Hannah said: “Such a lovely boy. Will always be loved and missed.”

It is understood pupils at Eastwood High School were told of the death in an assembly on Monday, just hours after it had happened.

According to the schoolboy’s Facebook page, he played with the school’s rugby team.

Kia Jackson added online: “Rip Ben, swear u have no idea how much I miss you, I love you always, took too soon.

“Always got u in ma heart.”

Yusuf Arshad added: “RIP Ben bro love you n miss you.

“Too young to die only 13 and had your whole life ahead of you so sad that your gone but your in a better place now.”