A grieving mother handed over donations from family and friends to improve a skatepark in memory of her 14-year-old son.

Grant Plowman was found hanging from a belt attached to his bedroom window at the family home in Woburn Road, Gossops Green, Crawley, in April this year.

After being found by his sister, Laura, 16, his mother, Sandra King, who holds a first aid certificate, cut him down and made desperate attempts to resuscitate him.

The family believe Grant, who harboured ambitions to be a stuntman, died as the result of a prank which went wrong.

At his inquest, West Sussex coroner Roger Stone, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: "It is abundantly clear this young man had an accident in his bedroom while he was playing around."

Grant, a pupil of Ifield Community College, was a keen skateboarder at Crawley skatepark and the £1,000 donation from people who loved him will help improve the ramps.

At a ceremony to hand over the money, Mrs King thanked Grant's friends for their generous donations, particularly Battlebridge FC and Furngate FC, the football teams her son had played for.

She then read out a poem, entitled Grant, which she had written in his memory.

Mrs King ended it by saying: "To my Grant, with all love always, Mum."

The cheque was given to Crawley Freestyle Association, which runs the Crawley Borough Council skatepark.

Councillor Jim Smith, who is in charge of leisure and cultural services for the council, said the money would go towards something Grant's family could remember him by. A plaque will be put up at the park in his memory.

Thaddeus Dell, Crawley Freestyle Association's chairman, said: "The skatepark community very much appreciates the donation, which will go to providing improved facilities."