A teenage army cadet died of a stroke after turning his head too quickly while making dinner, an inquest has heard.

Ben Littlewood is believed to have torn an artery leading to the brain as he prepared food in the kitchen of his home in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, on April 3 this year. He died in hospital eight days later.

The fit and healthy 17-year-old, who had been studying joinery and carpentry, was a lance corporal in the army cadets and was hoping to join the Territorial Army.

A coroner ruled at an inquest in Stockport that he is likely to have died from a very rare Ischaemic stroke, which can be caused by tears to an artery leading to the brain as a result of neck injury.

Doctors were left baffled that someone of his young age had suffered a stroke and one medic who treated Mr Littlewood said he had not come across a similar case in his 12-year career.

Coroner Chris Morris said Mr Littlewood was a "talented and creative" young man who "had everything to live for".

"This is very rare in the population, let alone in someone of Ben's youth," said Mr Morris. "By the time this Ischaemic stroke was finally diagnosed there was no realistic treatment options and he tragically passed away."