A BRILLIANT student who spent his early years in Teignmouth and has gained a first class honours degree has died.

Thomas Burchell, 22, studied for a physics degree and masters at Manchester University, but was unable to attend his graduation.

He was the son of former Teignmouth town councillor Lesley Burchill, who was a Lib-Dem member between 1991 and 1995, and he attended both Shaldon and Inverteign primary schools for about six years, before moving to Exeter.

Mr Burchell suffered a brain tumour and died at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, from complications.

An inquest into the cause is due to be held at a later date.

During his last piece of research, he made important findings in the field of biophysics, making new discoveries about mutations in a gene that causes atrial fibrillation.

He was due to present this with his lab partner at the 2011 Physiology Conference at Oxford, attended by many prestigious professors and researchers.

He was also a talented musician, playing the piano, trumpet and guitar, and a fan of Teignmouth supergroup Muse.

Pieces by the band were played at his funeral.