A STUDENT who was found dead in his bathroom with an electric wire flex around his neck had had a Robert Hall, 20, a graphic art student at the University of Central Lancashire, died on August 19 just days before he was due to go on holiday to Greece with his girlfriend Sarah Burgess.

Mr Hall, originally from Manchester, was to start the second year of his degree in September.

Coroner Howard McCann heard how he died after a night out with friends.

"We met some friends of Robert's in a nightclub. We had a good time, but had a minuscule row," said Miss Burgess, also a student. The couple left the club at about 1.30am and walked back to their home in Foundry Court, Brook Street, Preston.

Miss Burgess said he was agitated about their argument and was going to go to his friend's home for the night, but minutes later he changed his mind and had come back to their flat. She said: "He seemed calmer and we went into the flat and he said 'I am never going to be able to make you happy'.

"I told him not to be stupid because he did make me happy."

Miss Burgess described how he then suddenly got up, pulled an electric flex from the wall, and went into the bathroom. "I did not think anything of it and thought he had gone to calm down," she added. After about ten minutes she tried to get into the room, but the door was locked. She then went for help.

Paramedic Mark Roskell, who attended the scene, said: "He was sat on the edge of the shower cubicle with a flex over the shower rail wrapped tight around his neck." Adrenaline was administered to Mr Hall but paramedics were unable to revive him.

Mr McCann said: "It seems he acted on impulse and I doubt whether he thought through the consequences of his actions." He recorded an open verdict.