Nicholas was a pupil at King's College School

Nicholas Ireland was on a physics trip to Hamburg with classmates from King's College School, in Wimbledon, south-west London, when he died last Friday.

Police said a large amount of alcohol was found in the 17-year-old's blood and an autopsy showed he choked to death on his own vomit.

German police said there were no criminal circumstances.

The boy's parents, from Brooklands in Surrey, flew out to Hamburg that day but have since returned to make arrangements to have his body flown home.

In a statement, the public school said teachers and pupils were deeply shocked and their thoughts were with the boy's family.

Teachers, parents and pupils find school trips to be extremely beneficial NUT spokeswoman

British Embassy officials have provided help and support to relatives, said the Foreign Office.

German police told BBC London that bottles of tequila and vodka were discovered in Nicholas's room.

He lost consciousness and paramedics were unable to revive him.

Nicholas was described as a "lovely chap" by former neighbour John Mottram.

One of his friends from Surrey, William Bowden, told BBC London the whole community was "completely devastated".

Teachers' unions are divided in their opinions of school trips.

A spokeswoman for NASUWT said they can put teachers in "enormously difficult situations" and advises its members to "think very carefully" before going on trips.

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) says school trips are a vital part of children's education and encourages it members to take part.

A spokeswoman added: "Teachers, parents and pupils find school trips to be extremely beneficial, promoting relationships between staff and pupils, promoting confidence and self-esteem."