FRIENDS of a young man who died have remembered him at one of his favourite spots.

Hassan Mehmood, aged 25, was found hanged at a children's playground off Yarrow Place in Halliwell at 6.25am on Monday April 4 by a dog walker.

He was declared dead at the scene half an hour later by paramedics.

Asian Image: Balloon release in Rivington to celebrate the life of Hassan Mehmood who died in a children's playground in Halliwell in early April

Schoolfriends and former work colleagues arranged a balloon and Chinese lantern release at his much-loved viewpoint off Scouts Road, Rivington.

Co-organiser and close friend Natalie Farrell, who worked with Mr Mehmood on Child Support Agency casework at Serco in Manchester Road, said: "Although emotional we were all happy and thinking about all the good times we shared with Hassan and how lucky we are to have known him.

Asian Image:

Hassan, left, with friend, Jameel Sharif.

"Everybody wrote a message on their balloon. There were so many balloons in the sky for him, it was truly beautiful and I know Hassan would have loved it.

"I would like to thank everybody that came to say their goodbye to Hassan and celebrate his life.

"Although he is no longer with us he will always be in our hearts.

"I will think about him every day for the rest of my life."

Former Sharples High School pupil Mr Mehmood, who had two older sisters, has been remembered as a caring, loving and social young man who very close to his family.

Asian Image: Balloon release in Rivington to celebrate the life of Hassan Mehmood who died in a children's playground in Halliwell in early April

Ms Farrell said: "After we left Scouts Road, quite a few of us went to be with Hassan's family where we ate food and for a moment it felt just like before, like nothing had changed and he was there with us."

An inquest into the death of Mr Mehmood, of Felton Walk, Astley Bridge, was opened on Friday April 8 at Bolton Coroner's Court and adjourned until August 4.

Police said there are no suspicious circumstances.