A coroner has backed calls from the "inspirational" parents of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, killed by ecstasy at a rave last year, for mandatory drugs education in schools.

Sarah Ormond-Walshe, who presided over an inquest last month into 16-year-old Daniel's death, wrote an open letter praising Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs and their work to educate youngsters about drugs.

The couple founded a charity, the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, in the wake of his death from multiple organ failure on January 20 last year.

At the inquest at West London Coroner's Court on February 12, Miss Ormond-Walshe heard Daniel's parents speak of the "hole" in their lives and their determination to prevent more deaths.

She pledged throw her weight behind the charity, which has enlisted a playwright to dramatise Daniel's death and is visiting schools to speak about drugs. Mr and Mrs Spargo-Mabbs also hope to hold talks with Government ministers about drugs education in schools following the general election.

In her letter, published in full below, Miss Ormond-Walshe said: "I wholly support the Foundation's mission to educate young people about drug use. All of their goals are noteworthy, and right, and achievable.

"In setting up this foundation Mr and Mrs Spargo-Mabbs have an inspirational vision that has to be very much welcomed by all in society, most importantly, sets out the protect young people from deadly dangers they may not appreciate."

Mrs Spargo-Mabbs, 47, thanked the coroner for her letter. She said: "It was so unexpected and is so encouraging, and hopefully a powerful tool for us to use in the future."

Mark Wheeller, an award-winning playwright enlisted to write a play about Daniel's death, has completed a first draft. Mrs Spargo-Mabbs described reading I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won't Die - titled after his last words to her - as an "an incredibly intense, overwhelming, deeply bittersweet experience".

'An inspirational vision': coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe on the Daniel Sparg-Mabbs Foundation

"I am the coroner who has heard the inquest touching the death of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs.

"I am writing to endorse the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation Dan's parents have set up in his name. I wholly support the Foundation's mission to educate young people about drug use. All of their goals are noteworthy, and right, and achievable.

"In setting up this foundation Mr and Mrs Spargo-Mabbs have an inspirational vision that has to be very much welcomed by all in society, most importantly, sets out the protect young people from deadly dangers they may not appreciate. The Foundation is being rightly creative in the innovative ways they are suggesting young people are educated about the dangers of drugs. One is enlisting the help of a playwright to write a play about Dan's story that can be re-enacted in schools. Peer pressure can play a major role in the decisions young people choose to take.

"I am told that sex education is mandatory on the National Curriculum. However, the dangers of illicit drug taking is not so. It is important that thought provoking ways are found to bring the message to the notice of those most at risk.

"I wholly support this Foundation, and also have great faith that its trustees will make intelligent and creative proposals in respect of saving the livings of young people such as Dan in the future.

"Please let me add my weight to the aspirations of this Foundation.

Yours sincerely

Miss Sarah Ormond-Walshe, HM Assistant Coroner, West London