THEY were inseparable - two schoolboys who shared a love of sport and a deep friendship.

Stuart Adams, 15, and Lee Mullis, 14, were gifted sportsmen. Lee was an outstanding golfer, and Stuart's passion was football.

Both were popular with everyone they met, and shared everything together.

The friends -who died on the East Coast Main Line on Friday night - were killed instantly when they were hit by the 8.30pm Manchester Airport to Newcastle train as they played on the track near the Five Arches Bridge, in Darlington.

Tributes to the two "fantastic lads" have been paid from sports professionals across the town, who saw their careers blossoming.

Lee was on the verge of representing England at golf at under-15 level, and had been selected to attend a coaching course with some of the best young players in the country.

He dreamed of turning professional in the sport.

He was a member of Darlington Golf Club, and took lessons at Stressholme Golf Club from an early age.

Peter Raine, assistant professional golfer at Stressholme, is confident Lee could have achieved his dream.

"He would definitely have got there," he said.

"He was a very talented young man, particularly for his age and being so young, he often got noticed.

"I used to watch him play a few years ago when he was about ten, and you could see his potential even then. He practised all the time.

"He had a very big future in the game. It's such a shame that's been cut short."

Leanne Mills, manager of Darlington Golf Club, said everyone at the club was devastated.

"I knew him well, Lee was a good lad," she said.

"He was an outstanding and very talented golfer, and was supposed to be playing for England soon.

"He was a member of our junior club, but played with the seniors because he was so good. He had lots of mates here.

"He was like any other teenager - he could be a bit cheeky, but he was one of the honest ones.

"If he did something wrong, he'd admit to it, and he'd stand up for himself if he hadn't."

Ms Mills said she had already been approached by junior golfers with ideas about a memorial to Lee.

"They all really want to do a fundraising event so they can buy a bench to put on one of the greens in his memory," she said.

"Everyone here is just so saddened by what's happened, and we'll definitely be doing something, but we'll talk to his parents about that when they're ready."

The youngsters had played together in the same Darlington 21st All-Stars football team since they were seven, although Lee later left to concentrate on golf.

Stuart played for the team for seven years until it disbanded two years ago.

Mark Bailes, who coached both boys, said: "They were absolutely no bother, but I got to know Stuart especially well because he was here longer.

"Stuey was a cracking little full back. Although he was small, he was a courageous young man - as strong as an ox.

"He was always one of the first names on my team sheet. He never complained and just got on with playing.

"They were fantastic lads. Both of them will be sorely missed."