A BRAVE boy's love of theatre is living on in his schoolmates.

Memories of 15-year-old Luke Fellows, who spent most of his life battling a debilitating heart condition, prompted his parents to sponsor a special drama workshop.

Hilary and Stephen Fellows, of Grove Road, Locks Heath, organised the event as a tribute to Luke, who died in December 2003 shortly before his 16th birthday.

They had been moved by a performance by the Trestle Theatre Company when it visited Fareham's Ferneham Hall recently.

The Smallest Person showed how people could overcome adversity to have their voices listened to.

Now 20 pupils at St Francis School in Fareham have enjoyed a special visit by an actress from the touring company and a practical drama session using masks and puppets to help the teenagers communicate without words.

Mum Hilary said: "From beginning to end, everybody really enjoyed it. It was just wonderful. They really became the characters when they were in the masks. We were all laughing.

"I thought we'd feel a bit sad because of the link with Luke but it was inspirational. The children and staff got a lot out of it and we were really thrilled.

"There was a mask with a surprised face just like Luke used to make. He would have loved it.

"It was a brilliant morning. It brought out the best in the children and we came away feeling tremendous."

Luke loved live theatre and music and was a regular at pantomimes and shows.

The youngster, who had so impressed his family, friends, fellow pupils and even doctors with his

fighting spirit and will to live, died in his sleep of heart failure.

Luke had a perfectly functioning heart when he was born with Down's Syndrome, but two years later he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He was given a 30 per cent chance of survival but after six months of treatment he was given the all-clear.

However, shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy - a disease which causes the heart to become weak and unable to pump blood normally.