A FATHER-of-two took his own life following a temporary split from his wife, an inquest heard yesterday.

Graham Wilkinson, 51, was found in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in his white Bedford van on Tuesday, September 19.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

The inquest, at Bishop Auckland, heard Mr Wilkinson could not live without his wife of 31 years, Sheila.

He was also worried about paying the mortgage on their home in Brockwell Court, Coundon, on his own. He was due to be made redundant from his work as a test technician, but he did believe he would find work.

The police were called on September 18 when Mr Wilkinson went missing and a search was carried out. The following day, two men found his van in the forest and police found a note at his house.

Darlington and South-West Durham Deputy Corner Kenneth Howe recorded a verdict of suicide