A TEENAGER who was said to be "on top of the world" after A-level success and getting a full-time job was found dead at his home after an overdose of drugs.

The body of Dion Barwell, 19, was found on the floor of his attic bedroom in Rosser Court, Nelson, on Sunday, August 22.

A post-mortem examination showed his stomach contained 50 times the lethal amount of paracetamol-based tablets.

An inquest heard how Dion, a former pupil of Nelson and Colne College, had previously taken an overdose in June this year because of the pressures of studying.

But his father, Keith Barwell, told the inquest all the pressure was in the past after he received two 'A's and one 'B' in his exams the Thursday before his death and was working full-time as a sales assistant at Boundary Mill, Colne.

Mr Barwell had been in his static caravan for the weekend with his wife, Elaine, and 14-year-old son when the incident happened.

He said: "He had picked up his results, got a permanent job and was on top of the world. "Within the fortnight leading up to it he had got everything. I dropped him off at work on the Friday morning and there was nothing wrong with him at all."

Dion's best friend John Wright was concerned when he had not heard from Dion that evening and he later found out Dion had not been to work.

He awoke his parents in the early hours of Sunday after a night out and they went to Dion's house, where his father, John Wright senior, discovered the body.

A message written on the wall above his bed told his family that he loved them and he left a note thanking them for all their help.

PC Michael Baker said: "There was a large quantity of packets of tablets and loose tablets on the bed. Also on the bed was the note. My attention wasn't drawn to anything untoward."

East Lancashire coroner David Smith recorded an open verdict because of lack of evidence as to whether the overdose was deliberate or accidental.

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