A MUM went to buy milk from the corner shop and returned minutes later to find her son hanging from a rope in the garage.

An inquest hear that Christopher John Holden had been depressed since the break-up of a relationship which had seen him admitted to hospital with mental health problems.

But his mother, brothers and girlfriend all told the inquest that he had seemed to be getting better all the time.

Mrs Sheila Simms told the inquest that her son had been admitted to Cheadle Royal Hospital after taking an overdose and had been discharged in March.

On the day of his death her youngest son, Stephen, came round and said he had been out with Christopher and he was worried because he had become tearful.

Mrs Simms immediately went to see her son but he wasn't prepared to talk about what was upsetting him. Mrs Simms went to make a cup of tea but there wasn't any milk and she went to the local shop. Mrs Simms said she was away from the house in The Crescent, Clitheroe, for no more than 15 minutes and when she got back there was no sign of Christopher.

The medical cause of death was given as hanging and Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict that Mr Holden had killed himself.

"I am satisfied he was intent on bringing about his own demise," said Mr Singleton.