A MIDDLEWICH hotel owner committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

But the family of James Lally, who owned Kinderton House Hotel, refuse to believe the 38-year-old would do something 'so out of character'.

The dad-of-two, who also owned Kinderton's Restaurant in Knutsford, was found dead at the wheel of his car in a lay-by off the A556 in Plumley on February 26 last year.

His double-barrelled Beretta shotgun was found placed between his legs with the barrel resting under his neck.

At an inquest into his death at Warrington Town Hall on Friday, coroner Dr Janet Napier recorded the verdict that Mr Lally took his own life while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

She said: "The evidence is sufficient for me to conclude it was deliberate. Although his mind was affected he was able to understand what the consequences of his actions would be."

But in a statement to the Guardian after the inquest, Mr Lally's parents and sisters said: "The family must at this stage accept the coroner's decision which she has made on the basis of evidence she has asked to hear.

"However, the family reject entirely that their loving son, hardworking, well liked and dedicated husband and father and much loved brother acted in a way which was so out of character.

"We continue to wonder about the significance of James removing his wedding ring immediately prior to his demise. It was his much cherished possession and a symbol of love for Hilary and for their beautiful children which he continually, up until that day, wore with a deep sense of pride."

The inquest was originally opened on November 2 last year when Dr Napier heard from four witnesses, including Mr Lally's wife Hillary, his financial administrator and his hotel operations manager, who each described rows Mr Lally had with his wife and staff because of mounting financial pressure.

The inquest also heard Mr Lally, who lived in Wilmslow, had taken his wedding ring off before he died, which Hillary said was unusual.

Dr Napier read from six written statements before the inquest was adjourned when no evidence could be found that the gun had not gone off accidentally.

On Friday, when the inquest was continued, Dr Napier said: "We've heard stories of increasing problems with the businesses - we don't know the degree of that but there was obviously some difficulty, but there's no evidence of anything other than soluble problems.

"We've heard from police about their further inquiries since the last inquest and they've come to the same conclusion as before - that there was no one else involved in the injuries, they were self inflicted and expected to be fatal."

Mr Lally's family added: "The family, albeit with a tinge of sadness, wish Hillary well in her new life with the children and her partner in South Africa and look forward to the time when they will see their much loved grandchildren, nephew, niece and cousins.

"The family must, however, place on record their consternation that so much has been said about the alleged 'financial difficulties'.

"To the best of their knowledge and belief there were no such difficulties observable from the close quarters which most of the family occupied."