A FORMER RAF boxer and fitness instructor hanged himself after suffering a knee injury, an inquest has heard.

Robert Vickers, 82, of Meadowcroft, Cockfield, County Durham, was found dead at his home last Tuesday.

His son-in-law, James Tully, from Derby, discovered Mr Vicker's body in his garage when he returned from a funeral.

The inquest heard how Mr Vickers told his family he was not feeling well so did not attend the funeral.

At yesterday's inquest, Mr Tully said his father-in-law had been very active for his age until he injured his knee, aged 80, and found he could not walk very far.

In his youth, Mr Vickers had been a boxer in the RAF and a PT instructor.

Mr Tully said: "It upset him that he could not do with his body as much as he thought in his mind he should be able to do."

Mr Vickers hanged himself with a washing line from the wooden rafters of the garage.

Mr Tully said that his father-in-law had tried to kill himself at least once in the previous two years by drinking whisky and taking paracetamol tablets.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.