MARK Smale's mother today paid tribute to the medical staff who had tried to help him fight depression and said she was glad he was finally at peace.

Marion Smale, 63, of Willows Lane, Accrington, said: "Mark is at peace now and I have no more worries over him. It was only last year that my husband Alan died and, if there is a heaven, Mark is with his dad now.

"I would say to any other parent of children who suffer from manic depression to get all the help they can from doctors, social service workers and support workers. They were brilliant with Mark and they helped us as is family too.

"When he was younger Mark was very fun loving and had a lot of happy times especially in his childhood. He was well liked by everyone.

"He was a very happy little boy and always had a smile on his face."

Mark enjoyed school and was a former pupil of Spring Hill Primary School, Accrington, and Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, but he missed some schooling when he was 11 as he developed a brain virus.

His mother said: "He missed school for nine months but we never really knew exactly what the brain virus was. For 12 months he did not recognise me, his dad, his brother or sister.

"But after time in Pendlebury and Booth Hall he was back to normal and went through the pattern of learning again. Then when he was in his teens he lived life to the full and had a lot of friends."

Mark was very keen on sports and was a big Leeds United fan although he also supported Blackburn Rovers as a more local team and went to a few games.

He also enjoyed badminton and played pool and snooker with his dad when he was younger and later enjoyed crown green bowling.

Mrs Smale did not wish to comment on the allegations that came out at her son's inquest.

Speaking about his death she said: "Manic depression is a terrible illness and we were told years ago that it could go both ways and he may get depressed. It might have been the start to that prior to his death but he was unable to talk about it and always put on a brave face.

"Mark had tried to commit suicide before about three times but they were cries for help. This time he had made his mind up that he couldn't live with it any more and I don't think anything more could have been done for him.

"I saw him on the Friday when he came up with my mother's day present but didn't see him on the day but that was not unusual.

"He was very upset and I had never seen him as low. It must have been a terrible weekend for him."

Family and friends raised £700 at Mark's funeral, which was split between Zito, a mental health association, and Spring Hill Methodist Church.