The parents of a 15-year-old boy who took his own life after being bullied for being autistic say they do not want their son's existence to be "hushed away".

Margate teenager Stefan Kluibenschadl died in hospital last March, after being found critically ill in his bedroom six days before.

An inquest into the tragedy heard Stefan had been bullied for being autistic after he took on a part-time job as a butcher's assistant.

Today, on the first anniversary of his death, Stefan's parents Emma and Tristan Kluibenschadl say they will do all they can to make sure Stefan is not forgotten by those who "failed" him.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Kluibenschadl said: "It is one year today since our beautiful, kind and loving son Stefan took his life due to bullying at work because he was neurodivergent.

"We lost our son, our family, the life we thought we would all have and so much more.

"We have discovered compassionate and wonderful friends, colleagues and family members who care, support and love us, and we have discovered those friends and family who are not there for us and have chosen to fade from our lives.

"Grief is a cruel, painful and lonely place on many levels and the secondary losses of friendships and family make it even harder especially when it is easier for people to avoid rather than face their own guilt or issues.

The inquest in December heard Stefan was taunted by people at work which lead to a decline in his mental health.

The teenager, who was academically gifted and had performed well in his mock GCSEs, eventually quit and became withdrawn.

But his parents said when help was sought, Stefan was "let down by the lack of services for autistic children by the very authorities who should have been there to support him".

Assistant Coroner North East Kent Catherine Wood has since filed a prevention of future deaths report NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group who has until April 17 to respond.

His parents' statement continued today: "There are also those who have been outright cruel and those who feel it more important to protect their establishment or organisation than to accept they failed Stefan.

"All that any parent who has lost a child wants to do is have family and friends near and sometimes talk about their child and have it acknowledged that they were and remain a huge part of our lives and are loved.

"We don’t want their existence hushed away, denied and never spoken of again.

"For those of you who have and continue to support us we are truly grateful to have you in our lives.

"We miss and love him so much and facing further years ahead is something we dread and fear.

"We love you son 15forever x."