A FATHER who suffered three family tragedies took his own life on the day of his mother's funeral, an inquest was told.

An inquest heard how Tony Hart, 44, of Carlton Street, Nelson, lost his son, Andrew, two years ago in a car crash.

That tragedy was followed by the death of his wife, Janet, who died from cancer and the death of his mother.

Mr Hart had a long history of depression and was found dead at home by his brother after taking a lethal dose of of drugs and alcohol, the hearing was told.

The inquest heard how the former french polisher and cabinet maker was at his mother's house after her funeral on December 30 when he returned home after an argument with one of his brothers, Kenneth.

Another brother, Patrick O'Callaghan, told how Mr Hart left their mother's house after the argument and returned on a couple of occasions before eventually staying at home.

Mr Callaghan said Tony had told him earlier in the day that he had felt like killing himself but he had not taken him seriously.

It was only when he called to check on his brother at home for a second time at about 9.30pm when there was no reply that he suspected something was wrong and raised the alarm.

He found Tony lying on the settee and told the inquest he thought his brother was asleep from having a drink.

PC Susan Maine was called to Mr Hart's house at about 11.20pm on the day of his death and said she discovered five empty files of morphine, two empty strips of morphine tablets and an empty can of lager lying on the floor beside the settee where he died.

Doctor Zafar Qureshi said Mr Hart had been prescribed various drugs over the last ten years to treat his psychiatric problems, including sleeping pills and anti-depressants but said he had never been given morphine.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Hart had died from an overdose of morphine and alcohol.

Recording a verdict that Mr Hart killed himself, Coroner David Smith said Mr Hart had taken a lot of knocks in his life and this was 'the straw that broke the camel's back'.

He said there was no doubt that Mr Hart intended to take his own life.