A “HAPPY-GO-LUCKY” 50-year-old took his own life after struggling to find work in the digital age.

David Price was found dead in the bedroom of his shared flat on Whessoe Road, Darlington, on August 25, after friends could not contact him.

An inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court on Tuesday heard Mr Price had lost his job as a paver seven years ago and had found it difficult to find a job free from technology or computers.

His family also expressed concerns about the lack of support he was given by the council in his search for employment.

Crispin Oliver, senior assistant coroner, recorded a verdict of suicide and said: “It is clear to me that Dave was actually a very loved person and the very fact that is relatives are here makes it very plain how highly he was regarded.

“It seems that a lot of the time he was a happy-go-lucky character, but underneath there was a lot of frustrations.”