The death of a 14-year-old girl found hanged in her bedroom after an argument at a youth club remains a mystery.

Victoria Jayne, a Sussex club pool champion, was described at an inquest as a "vibrant girl" by a youth worker who knew her well.

The youngster was found hanged in her bedroom at the family home in Greenfields, Wick, Littlehampton, on March 12.

But a coroner recorded an open verdict yesterday, saying he could not be sure Victoria intended to kill herself.

Victoria's mother Diana, who found her, gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Paramedics told her she had managed to restore Victoria's pulse but the teenager had suffered massive brain damage and died in hospital.

An inquest at Worthing heard Victoria had arrived home early and upset after a night out at Littlehampton Boys Club, which is a youth club for both boys and girls.

Her mother's partner, Mark Andrews, said: "She didn't speak and just went straight to her room. I knew something was wrong but we thought we would let her calm down."

Later he called out to her and asked what was wrong and she replied "nothing."

Victoria's father, David Jayne, of Beech Road, Littlehampton, said Victoria had stayed with him the day before her death after a "family tiff."

He saw her again on the day of her death when she seemed "very happy and full of life."

Youth worker Alan White, who runs the club where Victoria was a member, said she was a "vibrant" girl.

There had been arguments between youngsters but that happened often.

Sergeant Digby Gunnis said a note had been found on the bedroom floor, which he agreed could be interpreted as an intention by Victoria to cause her own death.

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone recorded an open verdict, saying he had to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt that Victoria intended to take her own life.

He said she might have thought she would be found sooner, adding: "I have a doubt if a young girl would form a firm and settled intention to end her life."

After the hearing Mr White said Victoria's death was a tragedy for the club.

Victoria had become the girls' champion at pool in a competition run by the Sussex Association of Clubs for Young People and had been due to take part in regional finals.

He said: "She had so many friends and so much going for her. It is all so sad."