The parents of a teenage boy on the verge of a modelling career have told of their heartbreak after he was stabbed to death.

Karen and Trevor Firth today told how their 18-year-old son, Lee, had been offered a career in modelling in London when the tragedy happened on Sunday.

Lee had been visiting friends in Halifax when he was attacked and stabbed.

Surgeons spent 14 hours trying to save his life but Lee, of Greengates, died surrounded by family and friends on Sunday.

Today Karen and Trevor, of Old Park Road, said they and their other sons, Timmy, 20, Luke, 14, and Ryan, 12, were devastated by Lee's death.

Mrs Firth, 38, said her son, a former pupil at Eccleshill Upper School, had worked as a sales rep in insurance but had been offered a job as a male model.

"He was very good looking - absolutely gorgeous and with a brilliant personality," she said.

"Everyone had told him he should try modelling so he had a portfolio of photos done, sent it to an agency in London and they'd offered him a job.

"I'm sure he would have gone far in modelling if he'd decided to do it but he'd have done well at anything and was very happy doing what he was.''

And she said Lee was a happy, out-going and fun-loving teenager.

"He always thought about other people before himself and would do anything for anyone. He was just perfect in every way. He'd never been in trouble at school or with the police. He had loads of friends from all over the place - Leeds, Manchester, Bradford - and just loved going out.''

Lee's mother added that her son doted on his nephew - her eldest son Timmy's 13-month-old toddler Joshua - and added: "He absolutely ruined him.

"Timmy and his fiancee Leanne have said that if they have another baby and it's a boy they will name him after Lee.''

Mrs Firth paid tribute to Calderdale Royal Infirmary staff who tried to save her son.

"They were absolutely brilliant and did everything they could for him."

John Jagger, coroner's officer for Calderdale, said a post mortem examination revealed Lee died as a result of stab wounds.

Mr Firth, 39, a taxi driver, said: "We're just numb. We can't believe what's happened but we've just got to carry on because of the other kids.''

A 16-year-old Halifax youth has been charged with murder and was due to appear at Calderdale Youth Court today.