A RAILWAY worker was found hanged at his partner's home days before the couple were due to go on holiday in Tunisia, an inquest heard yesterday.

Brian Brighty, of East Raby Street, Darlington, was found by his girlfriend at her home in Brinkburn Road on Monday, May 19. Coroner Kenneth Howe recorded an open verdict at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court.

SUICIDE VERDICT: A man who suffered from manic depression and a debilitating physical problem hanged himself from a tree in the garden of his home in Wolsingham Road, Tow Law, on Tuesday, a Bishop Auckland inquest heard. Alistair George Cairns, 53, spoke of suicide to his wife the previous week and she had taken him to counselling on the day of his death.

DANCE WINNERS: Year 11 students from Greenfield School, in Newton Aycliffe, won first place in a recent county schools dance competition in the composition and performance section. The winning team was Amie Buck, Katie Caswell, Hannah Jones, Kayleigh McDonald, Becky Stephenson and Laura Taylor.

INQUEST OPENED: An inquest was opened into the death of Peter Graham McLean, 46, of Oakdene Avenue, Darlington, who was found dead at his home on Wednesday, May 21. Coroner Kenneth Howe, sitting at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, adjourned the hearing.

DAY TRIP: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity has organised a day trip to Blackpool on Thursday, June 12, from 9am, with pick-up points at Ferryhill, Fishburn, Sedgefield, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington and Cockerton, To book a place, costing £12, call (01325) 313924.

LOCAL HISTORY: The speaker at the next meeting of Sedgefield Local History Society, in Ceddesfeld Hall, on Monday, at 7.45pm, will be Mark Simmons talking about Hartlepool. The members will hold their annual dinner on Monday, June 9, at the Dun Cow Inn.

INQUEST DECISION: A verdict of suicide has been recorded at an inquest in Bishop Auckland on John David Marshall, who hanged himself in a shed on his brother's farm, at Sunniside Farm, Trimdon Grange, last Friday.

ANNIVERSARY FUN: Dene Valley One Stop Shop celebrates its first anniversary with a fun day on Saturday, June 21, from 11am to 4pm.

TABLE-TOP SALE: A table-top sale will be held in Helmington Row Village Hall, on Saturday, June 28, from 9am to noon. To book a table, call 07971 916016.

JUMBLE SALE: A jumble sale will be held at St Columba's Church hall, in Clifton Avenue, Darlington, next Friday. The sale starts at 6.30pm. Admission is 10p.