The parents of a teenager have paid tribute to their son who took his own life.

Matthew Redhead was found dead in his car by his father, Tim Redhead, at the family's home on February 21.

An inquest at Bradford Coroner's Court yesterday heard how the 17-year-old A-level student's blood had contained 69 per cent of Carboxy-haemoglobin well within the fatal range. Coronor's officer for Keighley Tony Thornton told the inquest: "The Carboxyhaemoglobin level of 69 per cent was within the range found in fatalities due to inhalation of exhaust fumes."

The inquest heard that Matthew died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

After the inquest, Matthew's parents Tim and Margaret Redhead said they were satisfied with the verdict. In a joint statement the couple, of William Foster Way, Burley-in-Wharfedale, said: "We are devastated by the tragic loss of our dear son Matthew. We love him and will think about him for the rest of our lives."

Matthew was a student at Guiseley School in Leeds and had been studying A-levels in geography, biology and English when he died.

His parents said he had hoped to study motor sports after finishing his A-levels.

Mrs Redhead said: "He was a very happy, sociable boy. He was always out partying.

"This was a complete shock. He is the last person you would expect it to happen to."

Matthew leaves a 15-year-old brother Nick.

"Nick was very upset," said Mrs Redhead. "They were very close."

Matthew enjoyed rock-climbing, using the Leeds Wall in Gelderd Road, Leeds.

Mr Redhead said: "Everyone was devastated. He had everything to live for."

Guiseley School headteacher David Lawe said: "Matthew is a boy sorely missed by his teachers and his friends in school. He is someone who in his own quirky way has left an impression on all of us.

"Matthew was very popular, he was a promising student and he wanted to make a success of things."

Mr Thornton told Mr and Mrs Redhead: "The evidence before me leads me both by inference and from the documents provided to one simple conclusion, that Matthew took his own life. That concludes this tragic inquest. It does not begin to conclude what you have to go through. I offer you my deepest sympathy. I do not know how you will cope but you can begin the grieving process postponed until now."