CANCER stricken Keith Kershaw blasted himself in the head with a shotgun when the pain became unbearable, an inquest heard.

The hearing was told that the 67-year-old had watched his beloved wife Mary battle against the disease and had told friends he would not go through what she had suffered.

Jean Woof, a friend and neighbour in Whalley Road, Great Harwood, said Keith was a keen clay pigeon shooter and had a number of shotguns, some of which had been gifts from his wife. She said the couple rarely did anything apart.

Mary had been diagnosed as having breast cancer five or six years ago and, after periods of remission, the disease kept coming back.

"Although it was Mary who was ill, it was Keith who appeared to be suffering," said Mrs Woof. "He had great difficulty dealing with Mary's cancer."

She told how Mr Kershaw was then diagnosed as having prostate cancer and as a result of that and his wife's cancer, gave up shooting but kept his guns.

Mrs Kershaw died in April 1998 and Mrs Woof told how Mr Kershaw struggled to cope with his loss. On one occasion he was taken to hospital, after apparently taking a large quantity of pain killers.

"He said on a few occasions that if he could he would drown himself," said Mrs Woof. "He said he had nothing to live for following Mary's death." She said Mr Kershaw had vowed not to suffer like his wife had done and towards the end he was in a lot of pain. Mrs Woof discovered Mr Kershaw's body at the rear of his home, which was called 'Mareith,' combining his and his wife's names.

He was wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown and in the pocket was found a note to his daughter Jane which read: "Can't stand the pain any longer, love dad." A double barrel shotgun and a walking stick were found by the body.

Recording a verdict that Mr Kershaw had killed himself, coroner Michael Singleton said it was very often the case that people who took their own life wanted to cause harm and distress to other people.

"It is quite clear that was not Keith Kershaw's intentions," said Mr Singleton. "It seems to me he had gone as far as he could go. He had lost his wife, who was clearly very dear to him, and he was in a great deal of pain.

"He took the view that the quality of life he wanted was no longer available to him and I can find no criticism of him for what he did."

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