A FORMER school caretaker who had suffered years of depression hanged himself while four times over the legal drink drive limit, an inquest was told.

George Vincent Smith, 67, of Harwood Road, Rishton, had become increasingly dejected since his retirement, five years ago, an inquest heard.

Mrs Jean Smith said her husband had been prescribed anti-depressants by his GP but had not taken them. He rarely left the house and often did not get up until after 5pm. In the evening he would drink cans of mild in front of the television but alcohol worsened his condition.

On August 19 she said he got up at 7.30am, just before she left for work, which was unusual. When she returned she assumed he was in bed but at 7.45pm went upstairs and found him on his knees behind the door with a cord around his neck.

She said: "I thought he had fallen. I touched his face to wake him up and he felt cold and stiff. I though my God he's dead."

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Michael Singleton told the inquest Mr Smith had been drinking substantially and was four times the drink drive limit when he hanged himself.