A PROPERTY dealer took his own life by hanging himself in the garage of his home, an inquest heard.

Clive Mitchell, 43, of Pendleton Road, Wiswell, was found hanged on Tuesday, July 3, by his partner of four years, Lisa Fielding.

Miss Fielding found his body just after 8.30pm in the detached garage at the rear of the property which the couple shared.

Mr Mitchell earned a living by dealing property and trading on the stock market, but coroner Michael Singleton said it was unclear whether debt had been a contributory factor in his death and only Mr Mitchell knew the real truth.

His partner, friends and relatives told the inquest there had been no major change in his state of mind in the weeks before his death.

Miss Fielding said: "You could tell by his mood if he had not had a successful day trading but he always gave the impression that he'd pulled it back around.

"On the Sunday before his death he said he felt better after visiting friends the night before."

After his death, Miss Fielding said she became aware that large sums of money had gone from his bank account which she had not been aware of at the time.

His sister, Louisa Sayer, said she saw him at lunchtime on the day of his death and that while he did not seem in a good mood this was something she was used to.

Speaking at Ribble Valley Town Hall, coroner Michael Singleton said that it was clear that Mr Mitchell had taken his own life by hanging.

A verdict was returned that Mr Mitchell had killed himself.