BY TOBY ROBINSON

AFTER years of depression 28-year-old Andrew Coulson took his own life, last September.

Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg recorded a verdict of suicide at an inquest into his death at Crewe Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Mr Coulson, of Ciss Green Farm, Astbury, Congleton, moved into the area in 1997 and was saddled with substantial debts following an unsuccessful partnership selling mobile phones.

Dr Peter Rigby, his GP, stated in written evidence that after their first meeting in January 1998, he had discovered Mr Coulson suffered through stress and had been taking anti-depressants.

Although his condition gradually improved over the next two years after securing full-time employment at Reflec on Winsford Industrial Estate.

A relapse had occurred by Dr Rigby's last meeting with him in August, 2000, triggered by redundancy and fears of a marriage break-up.

"He had been working long hours and getting paid, he was putting everything into his job," said his wife, Vesta Coulson.

"Then he was made redundant just after being promoted.

"After that he was difficult and distant."

Mr Coulson had started renovating a house in Vicarage Lane, Elworth for the brother of a former work colleague and his body was found hanged in it's hallway on Friday, September 8.

"He seemed normal on the Thursday and was working on the car," added Mrs Coulson. "He was still in bed when I went to work at 8am on Friday morning and that was the last time I ever saw him.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and no note was found.