TWO moors farmers killed themselves, one by hanging and the other with a shotgun, two inquests heard yesterday.

North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley recorded verdicts that John Summerson, 72, of Liber Hill Farm, Glaisdale, and John Cockerill, 48, of Maddy Farm, Castleton, both in the North York Moors, killed themselves.

Eric Summerson said his father was suffering from leukaemia and had said he "would have to do something about it", but he thought nothing sinister of the comment.

Mr Summerson was found dead in a field with a shotgun between his legs early one February morning.

Medical evidence confirmed he had chronic leukaemia, but it was not in a terminal phase.

Giving his verdict, Mr Oakley said Mr Summerson had "not been actively suicidal but had was despondent".

The coroner heard that Mr Cockerill had been partially disabled as a result of a stroke several years ago. His mother, Francis Cockerill, said her son, who was single, had no financial problems and there was no reason for him to end his life.