A band has offered its condolences to the family of a young girl who committed suicide last year.

In a statement on its website My Chemical Romance said "our hearts and thoughts" were with the family of Hannah Bond, a pupil at Mascalls School, Paddock Wood, who hanged herself last year.

An inquest into her death heard the youngster described herself as an Emo, short for Emotional, a rock music movement which, according to parts of the media, encourages self-harm and glamorises death.

That is a view not shared by many fans of the music, including friends of Hannah who wrote to the Kent Messenger to dismiss the stereotypical view.

In their statement, My Chemical Romance, said: "We have recently learned of the suicide and tragic loss of Hannah Bond. We'd like to send our condolences to her family during this time of mourning. Our hearts and thoughts are with them."