A 45-year-old Shildon man took his own life by swallowing an overdose of painkillers, an inquest heard yesterday.

A pathologist who examined Anthony Freeman's body found levels of Tramadol reaching nearly 23,000, where the normal therapeutic level is 300, the hearing in Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court was told.

Mr Freeman's fiancee, Pearl Waites, said he had sent her a text message telling her he had taken pills.

He had gone to Bishop Auckland General Hospital, but discharged himself two days before his body was found at his home in Auckland Terrace on May 18.

Durham and Darlington Coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded that Mr Freeman had taken his own life.