A coroner has issued a warning about smoking cannabis and driving after a bricklayer died in a road crash after taking the drug.

Matthew Venn, 36, used cannabis the day before his VW Golf veered out of control and smashed into an oncoming Mercedes.

Mr Venn, of Chancton Close, Worthing, died almost instantly from multiple injuries, including a ruptured heart and liver.

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone told a Worthing inquest: "While people talk about safe drugs I personally believe there is no such thing. If you are going to use cannabis don't get behind the wheel."

The inquest heard that the drug might have affected Mr Venn's reaction time, ability to drive in a straight line and perception of distances.

Mr Venn crashed into a Mercedes being driven by self-employed chauffeur Kenneth Duggan, of Ifield.

Justine Cawtheray, Mr Venn's common-law wife, and mother of his four-year-old daughter, said he had used cannabis the day before.

He was driving to work in Billingshurst when the crash occurred on October 12.

Consultant pathologist Dr Jeremy Grant said tests showed cannabis in the blood of Mr Venn which would have caused a degree of intoxication.

Police sergeant Nigel Nuttall, of Horsham traffic unit, said he believed cannabis contributed to the cause of the crash.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.