A STACKSTEADS man found dead in his bathroom used the fumes from a motorised scooter to kill himself, an inquest heard.

Edward Smith, 28, of Acre Mill Road, had been diagnosed as suffering from depression.

His father John told the inquest he had become concerned about his son's mental health over the last few years. In 2002 Edward was persuaded to go to his GP and was prescribed medication for depression, he said.

The inquest heard that he went to the doctor again when it appeared that his condition was worse than previously diagnosed.

He was referred for a psychiatric consultation and was offered counselling sessions, which continued until November last year.

The inquest heard that Edward spent Christmas and New Year with his mum and dad and continued to visit their house for Sunday lunch until early February this year. John said: "It was a family arrangement that we had Sunday lunch together, but we didn't see him after February 5. We were in contact with him after that - he was supposed to phone every week if he was not coming for the meal."

His parents became concerned when he contacted them to apologise for any stress he had caused.

They telephoned the police, who went round to his house and forced entry when he did not respond.

He was found lying on a duvet in the bathroom. He had used towels and bedding to block any gaps under the door and around the windows and he had left the motor of a scooter running in the bathroom.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said: "I have no hesitation in returning a verdict that he took his own life."