A Thurston teenager died after being shot in the side of the neck with an airgun pellet, an inquest has heard.

Ben Wragge (full name Benjamin), 13, suffered the wound while the airgun was being passed around between friends at an address in Old Post Office Lane, Thurston.

An inquest into Ben's death on May 1 was opened and adjourned at Bury St Edmunds today.

The Thurston Community College pupil, whose parents are separated, lived in Thurston and in Great Ashfield.

Assistant Suffolk coroner Yvonne Blake said that following the incident on the afternoon of May 1, several people, including his mother had attempted to revive Ben.

He was taken by ambulance to the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury, where he later died, the hearing was told.

The assistant coroner said the incident had been investigated by the Suffolk and Norfolk police major investigation team and a Home Office post mortem examination had taken place.

The conclusion of the post mortem exam was that Ben died as a result of injuries resulting in being struck by an airgun pellet.

Assistant coroner Mrs Blake adjourned the inquest until November to allow enquiries to be completed.

Two boys aged 14 were arrested on May 1 after the incident and were later released on bail pending further enquiries.

The tragic death left the Thurston community in shock, with thousands taking to Twitter and Facebook to pay tribute.

Hundreds of flowers and messages of condolence were left at the Thurston school fence, where Ben was a Year 9 pupil.

Thousands of pounds was also raised to support the family, with Ben leaving behind a brother, two sisters his mum Claire Wragge and his father.