A POLICE officer hanged himself after a resident from his village beat wrote to the chief constable complaining about a lack of policing, an inquest heard.

PC Andrew Miller took the letter personally and became angry and despondent over the comments.

His wife, Julie, fought back tears as she told how she found the 27-year-old hanging from the loft hatch of their family home in Middleham Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

She said PC Miller became upset after a resident from nearby Chilton wrote to the Durham Police chief. She said: "He took it personally. I think he really did feel distressed about some of the treatment he received."

Close friend and colleague James Wilson said PC Miller had worried about the letter, despite the fact that he had been reassured that he was an excellent officer.

Mrs Miller, now of Carr House Drive, Durham City, said her husband also felt trapped in his job and had become estranged from his family.

South-West Durham and Darlington coroner Colin Penna recorded a verdict of suicide.

He said: "This is a very sad situation when one has heard of a young man with great ability and potential who could have made so much of his life."