A RETIRED police sergeant who left work with an exemplary record hanged himself at his holiday home in Spain, an inquest was told yesterday.

Friends and former colleagues of Billy Taylor, 49, from Defoe Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have spoken of their shock at his death two years after his career ended on medical grounds.

Mr Taylor's wife, Linda, found his body at their Spanish retreat near Malaga on Sunday, April 13, the morning after they had enjoyed a night out at a nearby hotel.

He hanged himself from a wrought iron bedroom window in their villa at Puento Don Manuel.

She told the Bishop Auckland inquest that her husband had taken early retirement from Durham Constabulary suffering anxiety and stress.

She said: "He felt better in Spain than he did in England. I don't know why he did this. He seemed fine. There were no signs at all."

Darlington and South Durham Coroner Colin Penna recorded a suicide verdict.

Mr Taylor had joined the police force in 1973 after three years as a cadet and was promoted to sergeant in 1985.

He spent most of his service in CID working in Darlington, Aycliffe, Sedgefield, and Wear and Tees, and had been commended by both the chief constable and the courts. In 1991, he was awarded a BA Honours degree in criminal justice studies.

Sedgefield's crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Colin Pearson said last night: "He was a conscientious, hard working officer who had been involved both in uniform and as a detective with the community.

"He had a tremendous sense of humour. He was a good man to know. It was a shock when we learned of his tragic death."

During his time on the committee at Spennymoor Football Club, Mr Taylor reached hundreds of children through a Kick Drugs Out of Sport project.

Club chairman Barry Hindmarch said: "He was a friend, as well as a valued member of the club committee.

"He was involved in virtually everything we did. He was one of the gang and a big part of the club."

Mr and Mrs Taylor have a daughter, Joy. A funeral service is on Thursday, at 10.45am, in St Clare's Church, Newton Aycliffe.