The friends of a teenager who died after a 60ft fall have celebrated his 18th birthday at the spot where the accident happened.

Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Max Weston in December 2007.

The popular 16-year-old had been out with friends in the Five Ways area of Brighton when he was stopped by police on December 1 2007.

The officers said they wanted to take him home becuase they were concerned about teenagers being out late at night.

But Max ran away and climbed over a wall on Hollindean Lane that’s waist height on one side but has a 60ft drop on the other.

He fell and suffered severe head injuries.

He was taken to Hurstwood Park neurological centre in Haywards Heath but died a week later.

Yesterday would have been Max’s 18th birthday and friends gathered to mark the date.

Friend Matthew Whiting, 16, who had known Max since they were three, painted a giant birthday card and organised for flowers to be placed on Hollingdean Lane.

He said: "I didn't want the day to be forgotten or nothing to be done to mark it.

"I planted pink and red tulips, painted a sign and got some messages together from Max's friends. He is still very much missed.”

Mother Kerry Tester, of Osborne Road, Brighton, said: "We are so grateful to Matthew, the board he painted meant so much to us.

“All off Max’s friends have shown us never-ending love and support.

“We have an open house for people to come and mark the day and write in a memory book.

“I have always found it very difficult to go back to the wall where Max fell. I will drive a different route to avoid it - but today I faced that fear. I found it difficult to look up at it, but I did.

“It’s a difficult time of year. It’s both his birthday and Mother’s Day and I wish I could just shower him in kisses.

“We will celebrate his life through both laughter and tears.”

A Max Weston charity golf day will be held on Saturday March 28 at Waterhall in Brighton.

Donations will go to a number of services that helped Max including Hurstwood Park.