THE parents of a teenager who was killed in a car crash have thanked their local community for its support since their son's death.

Individuals and groups in Chester-le-Street have raised more than £3,000 in memory of Ben Ellison.

The 17-year-old apprentice mechanic died after his Citroen Saxo hit a road sign on the A167 in the town before Christmas.

The location was swamped with flowers and since then Ben's family, friends and various community clubs have been holding fundraising events and collections.

The money has been used to buy three oxygen saturation monitors for the baby unit at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The unit helped Ben and his brother Sam, now 16, when they experienced breathing problems as new-born babies.

Dad Brian Ellison, 49, said: "He would have thought it was marvellous if he was here today. If it was for someone else he would have said it was a fantastic thing to do."

Mum Jill, 45, said the response from people in the community had given the family strength.

She said: "It has been overwhelming. I can't begin to think how many cards of sympathy we have received.

"We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has given money, donated prizes, bought raffle tickets held an event or even turned up to one of them."

Mr Ellison said his son's two passions were his girlfriend and the car he died in.

Ben lost control at a lefthand bend near the Ropery Lane roundabout not far from his Chester-le-Street home.

He suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene.

About 1,000 people attended his funeral at St Mary and St Cuthbert's Parish Church, but Mr and Mrs Ellison are still coming to terms with their loss.

Mrs Ellison said: "Words cannot describe how you feel when some thing like this happens.

"It is a nightmare and we are still living it."

They remember their son, a former pupil at at Park View Community School, as a fun-loving lad who could never sit still and who had a good sense of humour.

Mr Ellison said the town's reaction had done him proud.

He added: "People have shown a lot of support and compassion.

"It has come from across Chester-le-Street; the community has really pulled together."