Damon Dean (18) was found by his father and brother inside the locked stall in July last year after he failed to attend a family birthday party.

On the day he disappeared, he had been to the gym at the Oaks Hotel, Reedley, with his brother Lucas, but returned to the family's clothing stall on Nelson market to pick up a card he had left, saying he would meet his family at the party - but he never arrived.

Damon's father, Mr David Dean, said he believed someone else was involved in his death, despite police inquiries drawing a blank, claiming Damon could not have locked the shutters on the stall and claiming a shadow could be seen on CCTV footage.

But Det. Insp. Derek Jones of Nelson CID said a thorough investigation had been carried out and CCTV footage checked. "I am 110% sure there was nobody else in the market hall at that time," he said.

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said: "There is no indication he wanted to end his own life."

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as hanging.

Recording the verdict, Mr Taylor said: "I am sorry those questions remain unanswered."

There's more on this story in Friday's newspaper ...