A STONEHOUSE father-of-two whose first wife died when he was just 40 and whose later relationship had broken down hanged himself from a tree in woods near his home.

Brian George May, aged 53, of Albany, Little Australia, Stonehouse was found hanging from the branch of a tree in Woodcock Lane, Stonehouse by walkers on February 4, this year.

Police and paramedics were called and he was cut down from the tree but life was pronounced extinct and two notes were found on his body, an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court in Barnwood heard on Wednesday.

Senior coroner for Gloucestershire Katy Skerrett said that medical evidence referred to the building maintenance worker suffering from depression since his first wife died in 2001.

"In October 2013 he was reported to have had suicidal thoughts but had no plans to act on them," she said.

"A toxicology report found no traces of drugs or alcohol.

"It is clear to me that he suffered depression which flared up on occasions and there had been a recent breakdown in his relationship.

"My conclusion is therefore that Mr May committed suicide."