A MODEL Bournemouth student has lost his fight for life after a night-time tragedy.

Police said Nathan Ridler, 17, was involved in an incident outside Subway in Holdenhurst Road on Sunday, and died that evening.

Nathan had been celebrating a friend's 18th birthday party at The Empire across the road.

Friends and teachers described him as a popular and hard-working student with a bright future.

A statement issued by Dorset police on behalf of Nathan's parents said: "Nathan was a beloved son to Dierdre and Alan and he was the middle child to a 21-year-old older brother and a younger 14-year-old brother.

"He was a caring, loving son, who was full of life, and hard-working.

"He attended Brockenhurst College where he was a Grade A student in all his subjects and had a prosperous career to look forward to.

"He had recently passed his driving test at the first attempt.

"He loved football, golf and snooker, and was an exclellent sportsman with a bedroom full of trophies.

"He was well loved by an amazing group of friends and by his family."

Nathan lived with his parents at The Grove, Moordown, and it is understood he worked part time at Topman.

Friends left dozens of tributes on Nathan's Bebo profile page and also left floral tributes outside Subway.

They included: "It should never have happened to such a lovely person. You will be hugely missed. Love Becca and Jasmine."

"You will be sadly missed in my heart. Such a good friend. Liam Snell."

"Legend! Miss you like crazy mate you will never be forgotten Nath! Love Jack Hayter."

The ambulance service had a report Nathan was unconscious at 2.08am and took him to Poole Hospital, where he died at 10.02pm.

Samuel Gardner said: "Nathan was quiet and if you got to know him he was a nice lad, never angry or into fighting or anything like that.

"I saw him in Bournemouth that night in the street - he seemed jolly like he usually is."

James Simms, deputy head of Winton Arts and Media College, said Nathan's former school was in shock.

"Nathan was one of our model students," he said.

"He was well presented, polite and pleasant. He worked extremely hard and no teacher could have asked for a more motivated, positive young man.

"We all feel he had great potential and a great future ahead of him."

Nathan was in his second year at Brockenhurst College studying A-levels in information technology, economics and business and accounting.

College principal Di Roberts said: "Nathan was a lovely and very bright young man. He was very popular with peers and staff."

An 18-year-old Christchurch man has been charged on suspicion of manslaughter.