THE parents of a tragic teenager say they must learn to live with their loss now the inquest into his death has closed.

Levi George Price, 16, was found hanged in the garden shed at his home in Louvaine Terrace, Ferryhill, an inquest at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court heard.

His father, Sailus Price, said he was a happy boy with lots of friends and was loved by a large family, which includes five brothers and six sisters.

On the day before his death, Levi had helped a brother fell trees to earn money because he was saving for a car.

But on February 27, Mr Price went to his garden shed shortly before 10am and found his son hanged.

Mr Price said: "He seemed his usual self on the Monday, but he was a very deep lad who didn't open up easily. It was a real shock and we still question it every morning and every night."

South West Durham and Darlington Coroner Colin Penna, recorded an open verdict, saying: "I think it is impossible to know what is going through the minds of someone at that age, so I cannot be sure that he intended the tragic outcome."