A TALENTED young student who died on his way to a lecture from an undetected brain condition saved the lives of others by insisting his organs be transplanted.

Grade-A student James Knotts was always adamant he wanted to help others in the event of his death and his kidneys and corneas have been used to help others.

His parents yesterday paid tribute to 20-year-old James who lost consciousness on his way to a physics lecture at Newcastle University, on Monday morning.

Despite desperate attempts by paramedics to revive him, he was declared dead on arrival at the city's General Hospital.

Doctors said James died of a rare raised intracranial pressure cyst which neither he or his family could have known was in his brain.

Mother Angela, 47, of North Tyneside, said: "James was wonderful, funny, generous, clever and loved by everyone who knew him."

Father Alan, 65, said: "The hardest thing we have ever done is have to go to the hospital and hug our dead son.

"We hugged him as if we could bring him back to life, but we couldn't. It was terrible.

"All the hugs and kisses in the world can't bring him back now.

"We want to express our gratitude to the people who tried to help and who were with him when we couldn't be."

A spokesman for Newcastle University said: "The University is deeply saddened by James's death, and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends."

James also leaves a sister Shelly, 18.

A date for the funeral is yet to be arranged.