THE parents of a teenager who was killed in a car crash have spoken of the strength they have drawn from their community since his death.

Individuals and groups in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, 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 road in the town before Christmas.

The spot was swamped in flowers in an outpouring of grief and since then, family, friends and 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, Durham City.

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

Their father, 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."

Mother 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.

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

About 1,000 people attended a funeral service at St Mary and St Cuthbert's Parish Church, but Mr and Mrs Ellison are still trying to come to terms with the loss of Ben.

Mrs Ellison said: "There are no words to describe how you feel when some thing like this happens. It is a nightmare and we are still living it."

They remember their son as a fun-loving lad who could never sit still.

Mr Ellison said: "People in the community have showed a lot of support and compassion.

"It has come from all over Chester-le-Street. The community has really pulled together."