A grief-stricken widower hanged himself because he could not cope with the approaching anniversary of his wife's death, an inquest heard.

Oxford Coroner's Court was told Stanley Nash, 77, of Elms Drive, Marston, Oxford, was found hanged from his loft hatch by his son on October 20 this year.

Christopher Nash, of Dark Lane, Witney, said his father had not coped well with the death of his wife from cancer in November 1997. He said he became worried about his father when he could not contact him on the phone and asked a neighbour to check on him. When the neighbour could not rouse him Mr Nash went to the house, let himself in and found his father's body. There were notes left to Mr Nash and his brother Dennis.

Mr Nash's GP Dr Neil Maclennan said in a statement Mr Nash had suffered continued grief after his wife's death.

He said: "The approaching anniversary of her death would have been a very difficult period for him." Coroner's officer Pc Graham Day said when he was called to the house by police he saw a fixed loft ladder extended from the hatch.

He said: "It appeared he simply stepped off it."

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict that Mr Nash took his own life.

Story date: Saturday 18 December

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