FATHER Martin Piper said he was appalled that his 17-year-old son Tim killed himself after learning how to do it from information on an Internet website.

Tim Piper, from Lacock, was found hanged from his wardrobe in his room on November 20.

At the inquest in Chippenham on Monday, Coroner Nigel Brookes recorded that the teenager had taken his own life.

The inquest heard that Tim was a computer enthusiast and a very bright pupil who had been predicted to achieve four grade As in his A level exams at Sheldon School in Chippenham.

Following his death, police searched through Tim's personal computer files and discovered that he had downloaded information from the Internet which graphically described the various different ways to commit suicide.

At the inquest Mr Piper condemned the websites. He said: "I am appalled that there should be such websites. It is dreadful that they should be available for people who are upset and looking for that sort of thing."

One of the websites described the different ways of committing suicide and each method was rated in terms of the success rate, errors, and pain levels and step-by-step instructions were given.

Tim's mother Hazel, who found her son's body in his bedroom, said she believed he had committed suicide.

"He was a very well organised boy and would not have started anything that he did not intend to carry out," she said.

But family and friends said they knew no reason why Tim would want to take his own life.

Mrs Piper described him as a nervous boy who did not like to be separated from the family.

The coroner read a statement from Tim's best friend Jack Beresford, who said he was hardworking and quiet.

"I did not notice anything change and things did not usually bother Tim. I never thought that he was unhappy. It was a total shock to me," he said.

Tim and his twin brother Jonathan were part of the Genesis twin study and filled in questionnaires every few years.

Mrs Piper said a couple of years ago Tim said he was unhappy on the form.

"I asked him about it and he said he was okay. I thought he was just a regular 14-year-old.

"I thought he was becoming more comfortable with himself and he was talking to his brother more," said Mrs Piper.

She told the inquest she thought her son committed suicide because he was depressed.

The day after his death, his father found a note in his son's handwriting on a bedside table.

It read: "I love you Mum and Dad. I always will."

Tony Cleaver, the head of Sheldon School, said Tim's death was still a mystery to everyone.

"We wondered what could have possibly caused this. We investigated anything at school including work pressure and friendships and there was nothing, no explanation at all," he said.

Mr Cleaver said Tim had a close group of friends.

"He was coping with work quite comfortably, as you would except from a bright pupil His friends were devastated and still are," he said.

"He had a great career in front of him. It was so desperately sad."

Sheldon School members commemorated Tim's life by putting their memories on to paper.

"We had a book of remembrance for pupils and staff to sign and we sent that to the family," said Mr Cleaver.