The coroner was satisfied Martin was not a regular drug user

Martin Hughes, 24, of Seaford, East Sussex was found dead in a hot tub the morning after the party last summer.

The coroner at his inquest last week recorded a verdict of death due to non-dependent abuse of drugs.

"This is a tragedy that could happen to anybody and the only way to avoid it is not to indulge," said his father Derek.

First experience

A toxicologist told the inquest Martin had taken at least three ecstasy tablets at the part in Princess Drive and had also been drinking.

His father said he was not a regular drug user and believes the night of the party may have been his first experience with ecstasy.

"It is still very hard to believe that we won't see him again, and why," said Mr Hughes.

Derek Hughes said a similar tragedy could happen to any family

"He made a bad choice that night, and that is very easy to make, but we are all paying for it."

Martin's best friend, Ali Pickering, who worked with him at the Shore pub in Seaford, said he had no idea why he took ecstasy as he was usually against drug use.

"I hope people will realise it is a bad drug and that it can have serious consequences, as it did for Martin," he said.

"It doesn't just affect the person who has died - it affects friends and family and everyone around him."

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said there was no question of Martin being an addict or a regular drug user.

Harry Shapiro, of the charity Drugscope, said ecstasy had almost become a generic name for a dance drug.

"If you are buying pills off a stranger in some dark corner you really don't know what you are taking," he said.