FEARS over the foot-and-mouth epidemic and a business deal could have led to a farmer and company director killing himself, an inquest heard yesterday.

Bryan Spink, of Intake Lodge, Yearsley, near Brandsby, North Yorkshire, was described last November as a dynamic, outgoing and strong person who had always been in control.

But after he shot himself it was revealed that he had been worried about the foot-and-mouth crisis and a deal to sell his share of a wholesale clothing company.

Fellow company director Derek Doyle said the sale of the company, in which Mr Spink was an equal partner, had been mooted for 18 months before the body of the 61-year-old former Royal Marine was found in a barn on his farm.

By November, a deal was close to being signed and Mr Doyle said he noticed a change in Mr Spink's telephone manner. At meetings, Mr Doyle thought Mr Spink was losing interest and becoming detached.

Mr Spink's widow said in a statement that she knew he was negotiating to sell his company share and was worried about the effect that the foot-and-mouth crisis would have on his farm.

Recording a verdict that Mr Spink killed himself, the Coroner, Michael Oakley, said that as well as the business deal and foot-and-mouth, he was worried about his retirement pension.