Two friends died from carbon monoxide poisoning after sitting in a "souped-up" car that had been fatally modified, an inquest heard.

Tom Putt, 20 and Nikki Willis, 23, were found dead in a £18,000 Ford Fiesta ST last December.

An inquest heard that Mr Putt, an engineering apprentice, had carried out a series of alterations to his car to improve its performance. He had removed the catalytic convertor from the exhaust and cut vents into the bonnet.

However, a gap between the exhaust and engine meant fumes were sucked into the car via its fresh air intakes, the inquest heard.

The hearing at Chelmsford, Essex, was told that tests later revealed carbon monoxide levels inside the car had been 1,000 times greater than the safety limit.