A "SAD and lonely" man hanged himself following the failure of his 15-year marriage, an inquest was told.

Warehouse worker Guy Lendon, 52, of Kinsbourne Close in Thornhill, Southampton, took his own life after his wife Nina went away for the weekend.

The couple had earlier agreed that Mr Lendon would leave the marital home and move into a rented flat.

Giving evidence to the inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court, Mrs Lendon described her husband as a quiet and reserved man who, when not working, was happy to sit at home watching TV.

She added: "He was a very sad and lonely person who kept everything to himself."

Describing her husband as "quite secretive" she added: "I think there was a lot about him that even I didn't know."

The inquest heard that Mrs Lendon returned home after a weekend away in February to discover her husband had not reported for work. She called the police, who found his body in the garage.

A post-mortem examination carried out by consultant pathologist Dr Vidhi Bhargava confirmed that hanging was the cause of death.

Area coroner Jason Pegg said he was satisfied that Mr Lendon intended to take his own life and recorded a conclusion of suicide.

Addressing Mrs Lendon he said her husband's death must have come as a shock.

He told her: "Clearly your relationship was strained at the time but I'm sure you have happy memories of your husband and that you will treasure them."