THE father of a teenager who died in a drowning tragedy has paid tribute to his ‘popular’ son.

Lee Flanagan, 17, and pal Craig Finn, 19, were swimming in Knott Hill reservoir in Ashton when they are thought to have become tangled in undergrowth in the water.

A passer-by raised the alarm but despite rescue efforts by firefighters and police, the boys both died.

Their bodies were removed from the water at around 7.15pm on Monday.

Lee’s dad, Roy Flanagan, and wife Lisa run The Church pub on Wakefield Road, Stalybridge. He said the teenager lived for his friends and family, including mum Carol and brothers Stephen and Tom.

Roy, 40, a soldier in the Royal Logistics Corps, said: "He was a popular boy who loved spending time with his family and friends and his springer spaniel Alfie. He also liked his sport — he was a Manchester United fan like his dad — and he was a very good artist.  He was supposed to be going to college in September as an apprentice plumber, he was just waiting for a place.  He wanted to be a fireman, that’s all he ever wanted to be, but you had to be 18 so he decided to learn a trade first.  He said he wanted to go into a career where he was helping others."

Lee, a former Hartshead High pupil, and Craig, from Ashton, are thought to have been trying to swim across the reservoir, off Lily Lane.

Theresa Baugh, of nearby Knott Hill Farm, called the police after hearing their cries for help.

"I heard all this shouting and screaming and I thought they were just having a bit of fun, then I heard ‘help’ and realised it was a distress call, " she said. "I called the police, we were trying to get help to see if we could save them, but sadly it wasn’t to be.  We’ve seen children skating across when it’s iced over and it’s so frightening. One minute they are having fun but the next it could be a tragedy like this."

Swimming is banned at the beauty spot and a sign close to the lake reads: ‘No swimming. Danger, deep water"

Mike Newton, crew commander at Stalybridge fire station, urged youngsters to stay away from open water.

"Although it’s nice and warm and it looks inviting to go for a swim, the temperature is a lot lower than most people expect. It can be warm on the edges but 10-15ft in it can be freezing," he said. "The message we have is don’t go in the water, it’s as simple as that. If you see someone in distress dial 999 straight away because time is the most important thing."