THE tragic story of a Huddersfield student worried over exams was told at an inquest into his death.

The inquest, held in Huddersfield, heard how 18-year-old Manvir Singh Kandola, a popular student at Greenhead College, had been worried about mock A-levels.

And on January 8, he was found hanged in the garage of his home in Rafborn Grove, Salendine Nook.

The inquest heard that in the days before his death Manvir had been revising.

His mother, Mrs Baksh Kaur Kandola, said he had been quiet and the family thought he was under pressure.

She said his revision technique was to cram for exams at the last minute, but it worked for him.

He had gained two A* grades, seven As and a B in his GCSEs and two As, a B and a C in his AS levels at Greenhead College.

He was on track to gain four full A-levels, with predicted grades of As and Bs.

But his mother said he was depressed because he had missed some mock exams through illness and was worried about his performance in others.

On January 6, she had taken him to the doctor's about his stomach upsets and they discussed his exam stress.

He was offered counselling and medication, but refused both.

But the next day he had seemed more like his normal self, joking and teasing and watching football with his father.

The day after - the day he died - Manvir had stayed home while his parents, brother and sister had gone to Nuneaton to visit relatives.

His mother tried to call him to wake him for work, but got no answer.

So she asked his cousin Kiran to visit the house. Kiran was still on the phone when she discovered Manvir in the garage.

Mrs Kandola said: "I heard her call Manvir's name and say `What have you done?'

"I knew it was something dreadful. I told her to call 999 and we immediately set off home. We didn't find out exactly what happened until we got home."

Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded an open verdict.

He said he could not record a verdict of suicide, because there was not enough evidence for him to be sure Manvir had intended to take his life.

He added: "It is clear from the evidence that he was distressed and depressed by the results of the mock examinations he was taking, but had not expressed anything to any member of his family or indicated that he contemplated taking his own life.

"If I was asked on the balance of probabilities whether he had taken his life, I would have to say yes."

Manvir's fellow students are putting together a book of memories about him.

College principal Martin Rostron said: "What comes across is what a popular, smiling young man he was.

"He was very successful academically and he enjoyed prestige as a member of the college basketball team.

"All round, he was a great young man. We are very sad, but people will carry forward positive memories of him."

Mr Rostron said the Government was planning to reduce the number of exams students have to sit between the ages of 15 and 18.

However, he urged any students feeling stressed - about exams or other issues - to take advantage of the college's pastoral care systems.

"Schools and colleges and universities offer ample pastoral support for students," he said. "At Greenhead, we employ two counsellors. The best advice I can give to students is to talk to somebody if they are concerned, instead of harbouring their worries.

"We also advertise external agencies, such as the Samaritans. They are available 24 hours a day, when the college can't be."

* The Samaritans can be contacted in Huddersfield on 01484 533388, nationally on 08457 909090 or by email on jo@samaritans.org