A POPULAR teenager who worked at a farm in Uley took his own life following the break-up of his relationship, an inquest heard.

The body of 18-year-old Kai Hannis was found at his flat in Ark House, Stroud, on Monday, November 23 last year.

Kai, who worked at Lye Farm in Uley, was described as a "ray of sunshine" who was loved by his many friends.

Coroner Katy Skerrett gave the cause of death as hanging and recorded a verdict of suicide at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Tuesday.

She said: “This was a very impulsive act from a very young man. It is a tragic case, but albeit for a very fleeting moment, he intended to take his own life.”

Shortly after he died, Kai’s family and friends paid tribute to the 18-year-old, describing him as “extremely popular”, “happy and cheerful” and “a ray of sunshine”.

Hundreds of mourners packed into Gloucester Crematorium to pay their final respects in December.

Kai’s coffin was adorned with a picture of his beloved car and was carried into the crematorium on a trailer towed by a tractor from the farm where he worked.

Growing up in Quedgeley before moving to Stonehouse, Kai had attended Maidenhill School from Year 9.

The school’s head teacher Pam Wilson said at the time that Kai had been popular with both his peers and younger students.

“He always had a smile on his face and was at all times positive and cheerful. As a member of the school rugby team, he was an exceptional sporting role model – reliable, committed and self-motivated,” she said.

Kai went on to complete an agricultural course at Hartpury College and had worked at Lye Farm from the age of 15.

Kai’s GP reported that the teenager had not expressed suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm.

The verdict was given as suicide.