A man who died when his car hit a tree and burst into flames had double the drink-drive alcohol limit in his body and had taken ecstasy.

Lee Jones, 20, of Willow Close, Hurstpierpoint, suffered fatal head injuries and burns after he lost control of his mother's Vauxhall Astra at Shaves Thatch, near Albourne.

Pathologist Patricia Berresford told an inquest in Haywards Heath yesterday, the alcohol and ecstasy would have had a significant effect on his driving.

Stacey Pavey, 16, of Hollands Road, Henfield, said she had seen Mr Jones on the night of his death.

She met him in the High Street in Henfield on the evening of November 16 last year and got into his car with him.

She said he had been doing handbrake turns and had a row with a friend before getting back into the car and driving off.

PC Chris Burt, a crash investigation officer, said there had been a heavy impact on the driver's door when it struck a large oak tree. He said: "There was a huge amount of damage to that side. It almost halved the width of the car."

PC Burt said the way the car had left the road showed Mr Jones had taken the junction badly.

He said: "A primary factor is the amount of alcohol found in Lee's body. In addition to that, we know he had taken ecstasy.

"The loss of control was brought about by his own actions and resulted in his tragic death."

Coroner Roger Stone recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "He behaved in a very reckless and foolish way. His alcohol and drug content must have seriously affected his behaviour and ability to drive."