THE sister of a County Durham man found hanged has spoken out about her fears that his withdrawal from a controversial drug may have altered his personality.

Steve Sanders, 38, a former chef from Logan Street, Langley Park, was prescribed the anti-depressant at the end of summer last year. He was found hanged at his home on April 15 this year.

His sister Dianne Sanders, 36, who lives in Torquay, in South Devon believes her brother became addicted to the prescription tablets.

She claims that when he suddenly stopped taking the drug his character changed dramatically.

She said: "My big issue is that my brother had withdrawal symptoms because his medication was stopped dead. A close friend has told me how his character changed suddenly in the week before he was found hanged.

"She said the Saturday before he died, he threatened a 94-year-old man. It was so out of character - what was going on in his head?"

Mrs Sanders spoke out after a Government watchdog released new advice on the drug.

Officials say new data on Seroxat, the country's most widely-prescribed anti-depressant, had come to light from manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.

As a result of the information, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that people should not suddenly stop taking the drug.

The MHRA report states that nine studies, based on more than 1,000 children, had shown the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm was two to three times greater among those on Seroxat compared to those on a placebo drug.

Seroxat was also the recent subject of a Panorama investigation, which looked at links between the drug and violent behaviour and suicide - claims which were strenuously denied by GlaxoSmithKline.

A spokesman for the manufacturer insisted the drug is safe, saying millions of patients around the world have taken it over the past ten years and that no valid scientific research has shown it causes suicidal thoughts or actions.

An inquest into Mr Sanders' death was opened and adjourned on April 17 this year by North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle, pending the outcome of toxicology reports. No date for the full inquest has yet been announced.