A GRIEVING family have paid a moving tribute to a gifted teenager who died just hours after taking an exam.

Kuldeep Cheema was discovered at the family home in Lower Higham Road, Gravesend, last Thursday.

He was just 17 years old.

His older brother Kirandeep, 27, has paid tribute to his young brother who, he said, was “loved very much”.

Mr Cheema said: “He is going to be very, very sadly missed. He had a bright future. We expected him to do stupendous things.”

Kuldeep, who was a Year 12 student at Gravesend Grammar School, in Church Walk, was in the first year of his A-level course and had sat his AS-level maths exam just hours before he died.

He was due to take his physics exam on Friday.

A post-mortem examination, carried out on Monday, confirmed the cause of death as suspension.

Mr Cheema said his brother, who also had two older sisters, was a very shy boy who liked computers.

He said: “He was a very quiet boy. He was very happy at home.

“He was always very helpful and he did things for people. He never stepped out of line.”

The family have decided not to release a picture of Kuldeep because they believe it is not something the teenager would have wanted.

Geoff Wybar, head teacher of the school was proud of Kuldeep, who he described as a bright and talented young man, expected to do extremely well in his exams.

Mr Wybar said: “A quiet young man, he had an air of serenity about him and his calm demeanour had a positive impact.

“Kuldeep was under-stated in everything he did and never boastful.”

Mr Wybar added the student was admired by both teachers and his peers, and had a group of friends who would miss him.

Mr Cheema added: “He had more friends than I realised.”

A date for the funeral is yet to be set.