A 17-year-old trainee soldier collapsed and died at the end of a five-mile run just 10 days after starting his formal training, an inquest heard today.

Rifleman Jonathan Ian MacKenzie had just started recruit training with the second battalion infantry-training centre based at Catterick garrison in North Yorkshire.

On February 9, this year, he took part in a five-mile run, which involved sprinting and resting, but got into difficulties at the end of the course.

He collapsed and was rushed by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he later died.

Darlington Coroner's Court heard that Rifleman MacKenzie was an ''above average'' recruit who was taking part in a 14-week basic training course.

The inquest was told the recruit suffered mild asthma but this was not the cause of his death.

A post mortem examination showed that Mr MacKenzie had died of natural causes, but a pathologist was at a loss to explain the exact cause of death.

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Coroner Colin Tenna said: ''This is a very sad case of a young man in the prime of his life and at the beginning of his military career who quite unexpectedly collapsed in the course of training which is common to all recruits into the armed forces.''

Colonel Nick Sim had previously paid tribute to the teenager saying: ''Rifleman Jon MacKenzie was a new recruit who had been with us for only a short time. He showed every sign of making a fine young soldier.''

The youngster from Stourbridge, West Midlands, was due to join the Royal Green Jackets after completing his training.

His mother, who was at the inquest, did not wish to comment on her son's death.

Updated: 16.30 Wednesday, July 25