A soldier tormented by domestic difficulties hung himself in a store room at his North Yorkshire barracks, an inquest heard.

A verdict of suicide was recorded at the inquest into the death of Carl Spottiswoode, 34, from Sheffield.

Lance Corporal Spottiswoode was found hanging in a store room at Catterick Garrison, on November 17 2004.

He was described by army colleagues as "a jovial character who enjoyed a practical joke, a hardworking and likeable chap."

The inquest heard how Lance Corporal Spottiswoode of the Prince of Wales Regiment had been having financial and personal problems.

Capt Robert Peck, motor transport officer for the regiment who had known Spottiswoode since 1992, told the inquest that he was aware of "an incident of self harm in 1995" but said he never suspected the Lance Corporal would ever take his own life.

He said "It was a massive surprise. We worked together in Bosnia for four months. He had spent a lot of time in the messes at Catterick and I agreed to give him a job as a store man.

"Only two people had keys to the store room where he was found, Carl was one and the other key was in my office.

"When Carl didn't appear on the morning of the 17th nobody thought it was unusual - he was taking extra fitness classes most mornings.

"Later in the day there was a commotion outside the store room. I gave Corporal Wilson the key and he came back to summon me saying: 'it's not good'."

"He told me what had happened. I went to get a knife and summoned help. That's when we cut him down, the door was definitely locked.

"I had discussed problems at home with him which I don't really want to talk about. It's just a shame it happened."

In Recording his verdict Coroner Geoffrey Fell, coroner for Western District for North Yorkshire said: "On the 17 Nov 2004, Carl Spottiswoode was found hanging in the store room at Somme Barracks in Catterick Garrison.

"He did have financial and personal problems and the combination of those probably contributed towards his suicide.

"I have read the notes which Carl left and that makes it clear to me that he was intending to take his own life.

"I have to say I don't think anyone should feel guilty about this. My verdict is that Carl Spottiswoode took his own life."

Speaking after the inquest in Richmond, North Yorks, Spottiswoode's girfriend Kathryn Johnson, 23 said: "It was the verdict I suspected and is of no surprise for us.

"The coroner summed everything up about Carl's character and today has meant we have got some more answers, but obviously we continue to miss the man we all love."