'Kangaroo' ecstasy kills boy of 15

A boy of 15 died after taking ecstasy pills, police said today.

Ben Henessy - who recently worked on a film warning about drugs - collapsed in his grandfather's garden.

Grandfather Basil Robinson said: "I found him in my yard. He could talk but it was clear there was something wrong.

"I called the ambulance and they rushed him to hospital. We are all in shock and grieving. He was a lively lad."

A post-mortem examination failed to establish why Ben died.

Police are awaiting toxicology test results which should be ready in a week.

Ben, whose family lived near his grandparents on a council estate in St Albans, Herts, is thought to have taken several pills with friends in the street. The tablets are said to have been stamped with a kangaroo.

Ben's headmaster Andrew Wellbeloved said: "Ben's death is all the more poignant because he took part in a drug education programme. We spent a lot of time putting the programme together because we know a high percentage of youngsters play with drugs and we can't be there to watch them all day."

He said several teachers had broken down in tears.

Mr Wellbeloved added: "He was a very lively and pleasant young man who dealt with any problems cheerfully. He was a very bright boy and very able.

"He will be very dearly missed by friends and teachers alike.

Our thoughts are with his family at the moment." Ben's parents were too upset to talk, Detective Inspector Mark Ross said: "The circumstances leading to his death are unclear but we are appealing for anyone who saw anything to come forward."

Police want to hear from a group of girls seen with Ben hours before his death.