TRIBUTES have been paid to the fun-loving youngster from Sourton Down with a ?heart of gold? whose death last week remains a mystery

The close-knit community is trying to come to terms with the loss of 12-year-old Zak Knott ? his body was found near a disused railway line metres from his home last Thursday after he failed to return from walking his black and white collie Troy.

A post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive and police are continuing to keep an open mind as to how he died.

One of the leading officers in the case, Detective Inspector Keith Perkin, is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: ?We continue to have an open mind regarding the circumstances that led up to Zak?s death.

?There are a number of active lines of enquiry ongoing which we are hoping will assist the coroner with any future inquest.?

Police are talking to school friends of the youngster to try to establish what happened in the run up to the tragedy.

The Okehampton College student left his home at 4.15pm on Thursday and was supposed to return by 5pm, but when he did not do so members of his family started looking for him.

Zak?s body was found by his stepfather at around 6pm, 150 metres from a disused railway track near the Prewley Water Treatment Works.

It was an area frequently visited by the youngster who shared a love of playing on the moors with his best friend, Simon Heard.

Simon?s mother, Rosie, said the two boys had grown up together and hours earlier had got off the college bus together.

She said: ?We just cannot believe what has happened. Zak was a lovely, friendly lad. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.

?Simon and Zak started primary school together and have been friends ever since. They loved to go out on the moors and play.

?Simon is very quiet at the moment but we are talking to him. It?s going to take a long time to come to terms with this and he is going to miss Zak terribly.?

Flowers and messages from the Heard family are among the floral tributes which have been placed near the site where Zak?s body was found.

The 12-year-old had until recently been a pupil at Bridestowe Primary School where he was very popular with staff and pupils.

Headteacher Sian Maiden said Zak would be remembered for his ?delightful sense of humour?.

?Zak was helpful and kind, intelligent and creative. He will be much missed by everyone in the school community who will treasure many fond memories of him.

?His family are an integral part of our community and have always supported the school. Our thoughts and sympathy are with them.?

Mrs Maiden recalled that Zak, in his final year at school, organised a Blue Peter Bring and Buy Sale.

She said: ?That was the sort of boy he was ? a great character and full of fun ? he had an awful lot to offer in life.?

Zak lived with his mother, stepfather and eight-year-old brother in Sourton Down where they rent a house from Frank Ward, who is also landlord of the Fox and Hounds Hotel at Bridestowe.

Mr Ward said they were a nice, ordinary happy family and Zak had been a happy-go-lucky child.

?I saw the report on the news and when they said the location I started to get concerned because there are not many 12-year-olds in Sourton Down.?

The annual Bridestowe and Sourton skittles event was cancelled on Saturday night out of respect for Zak, and candles were lit by young people in Bridestowe bus shelter on Friday night as a shrine to the youngster in this regular meeting place.

The Rev Arthur Parsons, who looks after both parishes, said ribbons had been tied to a special remembrance tree at the Sunday services by members of the community.

He said: ?I took it into the family so they know everyone is thinking about them. The shock has been dreadful and people are very upset, particularly Zak?s peer group.

?With a tragedy like this falling on Mothering Sunday weekend it accentuates it all the more.?

In a statement issued on behalf of Okehampton College, principal Chris Powell said: ?We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Zak.

?He was a lively, popular boy with a well developed sense of humour who often stayed behind after lessons to talk to his teachers.

?He had an engaging smile and was always polite and kind and there was a sensitive side to his nature which he demonstrated through his thoughtfulness to his friends.?

Mr Powell said Zak?s death had had a huge impact on the college and the sympathy of students, staff and governors, naturally, went out to his family and close friends.

?It is very difficult to come to terms with the death of someone so young who had so much to look forward to. Many students have paid tribute to Zak and he will clearly be sadly missed by all who knew him.?

Mr Powell said a special assembly was held last Friday for Year 8 students who were deeply upset by the news.

Zak?s family said in a statement they were still shocked and devastated by his death.

?It will take a very long time for us to come to terms with our loss and we are too upset to make any further comment at this stage.?