A MAN hanged himself just days short of the tenth anniversary of his son's death.

An inquest in Middlesbrough heard that Stephen Collinson Jnr died in October 1995.

Following the death of his 23-year-old son, Stephen Collinson Snr started drinking.

Mr Collinson, who worked at a bacon factory, was found hanged at the family's home in Grinkle Court, Guisborough, by his partner, Jane Collinson, with whom he had continued to live despite their divorce in 1972, the year their son was born.

Mr Collinson had set out tea for himself and his wife and had been heard by neighbours talking to his dog, an hour before he was found hanged on October 14, last year.

He left no suicide note and had no history of mental illness, but he had been drinking.

Pathologist Dr Mustansir Nurbhai said the significant amount he had to drink would have impaired his judgement.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded an open verdict, saying he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Collinson had intended to kill himself.

"There could have been other possible explanations,'' he said.