A MECHANIC and garage owner from Hutton Roof took his own life after suffering financial and health problems.

An inquest at County Hall in Kendal heard that Christopher Fearnley, 57, who was born in Bradford but had moved to the South Lakeland area many years ago, had endured several years of ill health.

Mr Fearnley, who was married but had been separated from his wife for some time, had also suffered from anxiety and depression following the death of a daughter, one of his four children.

In a statement, his friend and former partner Stella Whelan told the court on the day of Mr Fearnley's death in May last year, she had become concerned after being unable to contact him by phone.

She arrived at the static caravan at Buttle House Farm where he lived to find him unconscious on the floor of the caravan and immediately called an ambulance.

Mr Fearnley was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary but died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Recording a verdict of suicide, area coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersal noted that medical reports indicated beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Fearnley had died from an overdose of tramadol, which he had been taking for some years to combat pain caused by knee and back problems.

She offered her sympathies to Mr Fearnley's family and ex-partner.