A schoolboy who was found hanged in woods after becoming a fan of heavy metal band Slipknot, an inquest heard today.

James Lock, 15, was found hanging from a tree with his iPod earphones still in his ears playing the loud thrash music.

His parents noticed his new found love of "hardcore" rock music in the year before his death - and had discovered "dark" sketches he had done in his room.

The inquest was told James had drawn "disturbing pictures" of people with a noose around their neck - sketches only found after his death.

His mum Sarah, 42, watched him leave for school with his earphones plugged in "just like any ordinary day".

But an hour later he was found hanging from a branch with a rope around his neck by a university student walking through a woodland walk near Olchfa Comprehensive School in Swansea, South Wales.

Paramedics arrived at 9.35am on April 10 to find music still playing in his ears from his iPod. But he was pronounced dead at the scene.

James became a fan of the masked rockers known for their disturbing lyrics and dark imagery - with their songs linked to violent crime.

His heartbroken parents said they had known about their son's heavy interest in thrash metal and the "dark drawings" but they did not think it reflected his feelings.

His mother Sarah told police: "James enjoyed listening to music.

"He had liked laid back music but recently he had got into darker and harder metal like Slipknot and had dark drawings in his bedroom.

"He loved his iPod and would often have earphones in."

She said her son had a "volatile personality and was quick tempered" and would often act without thinking of the consequences of his actions.

His father Andrew Lock said James would often have drawings on his arms depicting images such as "falling angels".

He said: "In recent years he had been heavily into hardcore rock.

"We put the dark drawings down to the music scene he was into and didn't put them down to the way he was feeling."

Mr Lock added: "James had so much to look forward to in life and so many people who loved him and we feel devastated.

"We cannot think why he would take his own life."

The inquest heard James had been an active pupil who dreamed of becoming a pilot.

Detective Constable Laura O'Sullivan told the inquest: "James starred in the school productions of Joseph and Greece.

"He had ambitions to join the forces and become an RAF pilot. He joined the Sea Cadets and took great pride in his uniform.

"He had won awards for best dress, drill team and won a gold at the national kayak championships."

The inquest heard there was no evidence James had been bullied, and no drugs or alcohol involved.

Coroner Colin Phillips recorded a narrative verdict and said he could not be sure James intended to end his own life.

Mr Phillips said: "Drawings and images were found and these were of a dark nature but I think these reflected his music interests and do not show any way he was feeling.

"James was only 15 years old and I am not convinced he understood the finality of his actions.

"He was found with his earphones in playing music and we have heard his mother say he would often act without thinking about the consequences of his actions."

"This is a terrible tragic death of a young man who had so much to offer."