A teenager who fell from a balcony in his sleep whilst holidaying in Madeira last September has died from his injuries.

Trainee mechanic Richard Mills, aged 19, from Westbury, died on Tuesday July 2 in Middlesex Hospital after undergoing a nine-hour operation, which family, friends and hospital staff expected him to survive.

Richard's mum, Jayne Abbott said: "He was such a wonderful son and he touched so many people's hearts.

"All the staff and patients at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and the hospital in Middlesex have been so kind and supportive."

The teenager had been holidaying with his father, Ron Mills, in the small island of Port Santo near Madeira, when he fell from his hotel room and suffered massive internal injuries.

He stayed in Madeira for three months before he was flown home to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where he underwent a series of operations.

Father, Ron Mills said: "On the thirteenth day of our holiday we went our separate ways for the first time. When I came back to the hotel the staff said that something had happened to Ricky.

"He said something was wrong with his guts but I didn't think it was that bad.

"We aren't sure exactly what happened to him but he often used to sleepwalk at home and so we think that's what happened this time."

The family were expecting hundreds of well-wishers to attend the funeral at All Saints Church in Westbury yesterday afternoon.

Stepdad Phill Abbott said: "He was always so full of life and he touched everyone with his spirit. We are expecting people that he only met once at the hospital in Middlesex to come to the funeral and staff from the RUH have arranged special cover so they could all be here."

Mrs Abbott said: "Even when he was in so much pain he wouldn't moan to anybody and he would still laugh and joke with us all.

But the one thing the teenager longed for was for his parents, their partners and his younger brother, Bradley, 15, to become closer to one another.

Stepmother Charmain Hutchinson said: "The one thing Richard did do is bring us all together which is all he ever wanted.

"We are so close now, we have all been through so much together."

An inquest into Mr Mill's death has been opened and is expected to continue in October.