A MAN who became depressed and took to heavy drinking after his father died was found hanging at his home, an inquest heard at Warrington last week.

Earlier the same day he had told a friend he intended hanging himself - but then dismissed the remark as a joke, the inquest was told.

Coroner John Hibbert said there was no evidence that Derek Webb, 42, had intended taking his own life.

He recorded an open verdict.

The inquest heard Mr Webb's partner, Susan Houghton, found him hanging from the bannister at their home in Terrace Road, West Bank, Widnes.

She cut him down with a kitchen knife and then found there was a second rope wound tightly around his neck.

She cut this away as well.

He was not breathing and appeared to be dead.

She told the inquest: "I can't believe he meant to do it."

William Colford said he had been drinking with Mr Webb earlier the same day.

He had known him for many years and knew he had been depressed since the death of his father earlier in the year.

His friend had given up drinking at one stage but started again after his father died and drank more heavily than ever.

"He had about six pints of lager and said he was fed up because he had been arguing with Susan.

"I told him to go home and make it up with her.

"He said he was thinking of hanging himself.

"When I told him not to be so stupid he laughed and said he was joking. I don't think he meant to hang himself. It was probably a cry for help."

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