A MAN was found hanged in his parents' garden, an inquest heard.

Simon Garbutt, 36, had been living at his parents’ house on Nickstream Lane in Cockerton after suffering financial hardship and had been depressed in the days before his death due to the breakdown of his relationship, the coroner sitting in Chester-le-Street was told.

He died on October 4 last year and left two suicide notes.

County Durham coroner Crispin Oliver heard that he had attempted to kill himself on two previous occasions.

Mr Oliver, whose verdict was that Mr Garbutt took his own life, praised his parents for their efforts to try and save their son.