A plaque in Ledbury Primary School's Friend-ship Garden records the memory of a popular six-year-old boy who died in his sleep.

An inquest in Hereford on Friday heard that the cause of the child's death will always remain a mystery, despite one of the most detailed and lengthy reports ever seen by deputy coroner, Mark Bricknell.

Ellis Locke, of Oatleys Terrace, had suffered two fits in the months before his death on Saturday, February 12.

Paediatric pathologist Marie-Anne Brindler said this could have been a cause but there was no evidence of a link.

The child was discovered by his father, Christopher, who could not wake him.

Mr Locke said: "I just pulled the duvet back and when I saw him, I started shaking him and shouting at him."

When asked by Mr Bricknell if he realised then that his son was dead, Mr Locke replied: "I knew. You just know."

Mr Bricknell recorded a verdict that the cause of death could not be ascertained.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Locke said he understood it was hard for the coroner to reach a decision, but added: "A healthy boy who was his normal, cheeky self before he went to bed doesn't die for no reason."

Headteacher Celia Naylor remembered a child "eager, enthusiastic, keen to please, kind, helpful and polite".

She recalled his love of nature and how excited he had been to see tadpoles develop, as well as becoming "something of an expert on dinosaurs".

She added: "He was always surrounded by his friends and he starred at country dancing."