Lloyd Bird played in a university band

But an inquest at Bridgend heard how the student had become depressed at the thought of leaving university, and drove his car off the 100 foot cliff at Southerndown beach in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Tests showed he was "well above" the legal drink-drive limit for alcohol in his blood.

A month later another student - sixth former Mark Philip Smith who was also from Bridgend - was to die in a copycat suicide at the beauty spot just days before his family learned he had gained top A and AS level exam marks.

Mr Bird died last July the day before he was due to receive his degree at his university graduation.

Thursday's inquest was told Mr Bird, a singer and guitarist, had played in a university band called Walt Flanigan's Dog.

Sadly, depression is not uncommon in young people after years of study

Coroner Phillip Walters

His group had won a 'battle of the bands' competition to support Hear'Say and fellow act Semisonic before 5,000 students at the Swansea University summer ball.

But Mr Bird had been suffering from depression, the inquest was told.

"He had been living at home since he finished his university course a month before," his father Nigel Bird said.

"He had been very depressed during this time."

The student left a note for his mother before driving over the cliff.

He was cut free after a joint operation by coastguards and emergency services, but was dead on arrival at hospital.

Coroner Phillip Walters, recording a suicide verdict, described Mr Lloyd's death as "an absolute tragedy".

"Sadly, depression is not uncommon in young people after years of study," said the coroner.