FORMER Newcastle United star Gary Speed was found hanged at his home by his wife, an inquest was told today.

The 42-year-old Wales manager and father-of-two was found dead at his Cheshire home on Sunday morning.

Detective Inspector Peter Lawless, of Cheshire Police, told Cheshire coroner Nicholas Rheinberg that Speed's body was found by his wife Louise just before 7am.

He said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances and a post mortem examination found Speeds death was caused by hanging.

Mr Rheinberg said: "I adjourn this inquest until January 30, 2012. The inquest will be heard in Warrington and will commence at 2pm."

There was a huge media presence at the inquest in Warrington, but members of Speed's family did not attend.

The coroner asked the media to respect the privacy of Speed's family.