A schoolboy died in his home after carrying out an experiment which went wrong, an inquest heard.

Richard Hardman-Ferris, 15, was found hanging from a window inside his bedroom on May 8.

His stepfather made the discovery shortly after 7am, Bradford Coroner's Court was told.

Emergency services were called to the house in Livingstone Road, Wrose, Shipley, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Richard died from hanging.

Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances relating to the tragedy.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant deputy coroner James Turnbull said: "It seems to me he was carrying out an experiment which was potentially dangerous, but which went sadly wrong."

He added: "It's a very, very unfortunate accident."

In a statement read to yesterday's hearing, Stewart Ferris said his stepson seemed normal and happy the night before his death and went to bed at 9.45pm.

The following morning, Mr Ferris made breakfast, went to Richard's room and opened the door.

But as soon as he walked in, he noticed something hanging from a window and realised it was Richard who had a belt around his neck.

He then screamed, at which point his wife immediately came into the room.

Mr Ferris said he did not suspect in his mind that Richard intended to take his own life.

He described how Richard had plenty of friends and started taking his exams, but that did not appear to worry him.

The inquest was told his main hobby was his computer and he also took part in a lot of sport before he injured his knee while playing rugby 18 months ago.

Speaking on behalf of his distraught family after the hearing, Richard's grandfather John Hardman said: "He was a happy, lovely, caring boy. There is nothing more to be said."