A CHEF who suffered moods of black depression was found hanging from the bannister at his home, an inquest was told.

Neil Hucking, 51, of Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, was found on Thursday last week with a dog chain around his neck by his wife, Cynthia.

He had tried to protect her by leaving a note on the front door asking her not to go inside but to telephone for the police, the inquest heard. Mrs Hucking said she did not read the note properly and went in. Two 'suicide' notes were found next to the telephone.

She said her husband was a self employed chef. The previous evening he had been fine and they shared a bottle of wine.

At 10am on Thursday he rang her at work to ask her to help at a function that night. She said he was depressed and told her that everything seemed black. He said nothing particular had triggered it off, but started crying.

Mrs Hucking said he had periods of black depression but had never attempted to kill himself.

Recording a verdict that Mr Hucking killed himself whilet depressed, East Lancashire Coroner David Smith, said: "Depression is an illness which in this case has led to this tragic result. It is quite obvious from the letters that he intended to kill himself."

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