A MAN who killed himself after struggling to find employment might have been offered a job the next day, an inquest heard.

Jeffrey Clark hanged himself at his home in Oaklea Mews, Aycliffe Village, near Darlington, last Thursday.

The 48-year-old father-of-one had been out of work since early May, when his temporary contract with the electrical manufacturers, Flymo, came to an end.

He kept his troubles to himself and had told neither his family nor friends how depressed he felt after receiving only a few, negative responses to dozens of applications for jobs.

Neighbour George Stokes, who had been a close friend for 20 years, told the inquest at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, he became worried about Mr Clark when he had been unable to contact him on Wednesday or Thursday.

Mr Stokes, a former nurse, said: "I saw him every day and knew he worried about finding work, partly as he paid child maintenance.

"I'd heard of a labouring job nearby that Jeff might get so tried to let him know all day Wednesday, but his phone was switched off and there was no answer at home.

"The job was to start on Thursday so I went to his house and used a spare set of keys to go inside.

"I went upstairs to his bedroom, but the door was jammed shut so I forced it open and heard a quiet thud, when I looked inside I saw Jeff with a leather belt around his neck.

"I shook him but could tell he had already gone."

The police were called to the house and Mr Clark was taken to Bishop Auckland Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Pathologist Dr Don Senadhira said the cause of death was asphyxiation due to hanging.

South West Durham and Darlington Coroner Colin Penna said: "Sadly we will never know for sure the reason but perhaps it was because of his failure to find work.

"It is a tragic event and my sympathies go to his friends and family."

A verdict of suicide was recorded.