DEVOTED husband Sidney Meanwell killed himself at 85 because he did not want to be a burden on his wife.

An inquest was told that Mr Meanwell was found dead in his fume-filled car with a picture of his wife Lilian on his lap.

In a note left inside the couple's Darwen home, Mr Meanwell apologised for his actions.

The note, which was read to the inquest by coroner Michael Singleton, was found by Howard Brown when he went Mr Meanwell to take him to a hospital appointment.

It read: "Please give Lilian a big hug and a kiss goodbye. Please forgive me for being a coward, I just can't take any more ... I know I am going to be a burden to someone. In this condition I can't help Lilian."

Mr Brown, of Cavendish Street, Darwen, told how Mr Meanwell had been admitted to hospital in the middle of September with prostate problems.

A short time afterwards, Lilian suffered a mild stroke and went into Queen's Park Hospital. Mr Meanwell was released from hospital and Mr Brown, whose wife Anne is Lilian's niece, was helping him to visit his wife and keep his own hospital appointments.

On September 29 he went to collect Mr Meanwell at his home in Monton Road but could get no answer. He got a key from a neighbour, went in and found the handwritten note.

"I read the note and realised Sidney intended to take his own life," said Mr Brown.

"I went to look for him and when I got to the garage I heard the engine running."

Mr Brown could see Mr Meanwell slumped in the driver's seat and a hosepipe connected to the exhaust.

Mr Brown said Mr Meanwell had never suggested that he had come to the end and could not go any further.

The medical cause of death was given as carbon monoxide poisoning but the post mortem examination also revealed that Mr Meanwell had also taken a fatal dose of paracetamol.

Mr Singleton, who recorded a verdict of suicide, said: "He had no doubt lived a full and meaningful life but he was concerned at the prospect of being a burden to his wife and family."

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