TEENAGER David Gregory was an outgoing student with everything to live for.

But nearly four years ago, his parents found him dead in his bed, at the age of just 19.

His parents, Chris and Judith Gregory, of Old Links Close, Heaton, along with their three other children, are still struggling to come to terms with his death.

They say the shock of finding David was "horrendous" and are now backing a new campaign calling for better standards of support and care for epilepsy sufferers and their families.

A report released as part of National Epilepsy Week says that the deaths of hundreds of epilepsy sufferers could have been avoided.

The Government-funded research, revealed in the House of Lords, found inadequate levels of care in 77 per cent of child cases and 54 per cent of adult cases.

GPs and specialists also come under fire for not maintaining contact with bereaved families in the report carried out by the charity Epilepsy Bereaved.

Drugs were also mismanaged in 45 per cent of child cases and 20 per cent of adult cases, according to the report.

Now the charity wants to improve education among sufferers and the medical community.

Epilepsy affects around 300,000 people in the UK, and kills around 1,000 every year.

Of that number, it is believed that around half are sudden and unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy people, especially the young.

Experts believe that with proper management, 70 per cent of sufferers can live without the ever-present threat of seizures.

The report is supported by the Joint Epilepsy Council which representing 21 epilepsy organisations across the UK.

Retired surveyor Mr Gregory said: "It is still very difficult for us to accept David's death. It happened so suddenly. It was horrendous and we weren't prepared for it."

David was 13 when he was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a fit.

His family had noticed earlier that he would sometimes become motionless for a few seconds, but tests failed to reveal a problem.

Gradually, he needed more and more medication to control the seizures, but continued to live a full life, enjoying scouting, swimming and attending St Andrew's Church youth club as well as becoming an avid follower of Bolton Wanderers football club.

Mr Gregory said: "We want people to be given a gentle reminder that epilepsy can kill. But we don't want people to stop living a full and active life. We just want people to be aware of the dangers."