FATHER-OF-ONE Graham Waring was unable to cope with splitting from his wife and took his own life, an inquest heard.

Just weeks after starting an arranged trial separation, Mr Waring was found hanged at home in Elms Road, Whitefield. A note clearing stating his intention to commit suicide was found in a bedroom.

At an inquest in Bury on Wednesday (Jan 28), Coroner Mr Simon Nelson heard how on October 30 last year, Mr Waring rang his wife, Ruth, who was on holiday in London with their six-year-old son.

"He sounded strange," said Mrs Waring. "Graham said that he couldn't live without me. He said he had taken some tablets and then the line went dead. I tried to call him back but there was no answer."

Mrs Waring's son from a previous marriage, Kevin, and a friend had to smash a glass door panel to gain entry into the family home and they discovered the 42-year-old hanged by a length of rope from the attic.

A post mortem revealed Mr Waring, a HGV driver for Bury Council, had consumed non-lethal doses of anti-depressants and a small amount of alcohol shortly before he hanged himself.

Mr Nelson said Mr Waring "died by reason of a deliberate act of self harm while the balance of his mind was disturbed".

He added: "Mr Waring was a gentleman who clearly found it difficult to come to terms with the prospect of separation from his wife and was anxious for a reconciliation.

"He was being treated for depression as a result of a breakdown in his marriage. In a telephone conversation with his wife he gave a clear indication of an intent to commit self harm."