The brother of a teenager who died after taking heroin today warned other youngsters to avoid the drug.

David Mann's 18-year-old brother Stephen was found in his flat in Coopers Lane, Clacton, on Saturday night.

He had been taking heroin for about a year after befriending a circle of drug users in the town.

Mr Mann said: "He was like all boys his age - you could not tell him what to do. He was just a normal teenager growing up but he got into the drug scene and that was it.

"He did it for the buzz and to be part of the crowd but it cost him his life.

Mr Mann, 29, said his brother loved football and music and was an avid Liverpool fan.

"Steve didn't want to be an addict, he was not that sort of person," he added.

"He was aware of what could happen but once you get on heroin it gets a grip and very few people come off it."

Mr Mann chose to speak out today in the hope it would prevent others from dabbling in drugs.

"Don't do it - think twice and remember what happened to my brother could happen to you or a member of your family," he warned.

Mr Mann said his mother Lucy, of Marine Parade East, Clacton, had been devastated by what had happened and it was the second tragedy to hit the family.

Another son, John, died six years ago after suffering a fatal epileptic fit.

"We all loved Steve and we will miss him very much," said Mr Mann.

"It is such a waste as he had hardly lived at his age."

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