TWO horse riders discovered a man's body in a wood after he had hanged himself, an inquest heard yesterday.

The inquest at County Hall, in Durham, heard that Emma Kitchin and Sally Johnson were riding in woods at Brandon, last November 11, when they noticed a man apparently standing against a tree.

On closer inspection, they saw a ligature around his neck and rang the police.

PC Alan Meehan gave evidence that he arrived at the scene with a colleague to find Philip Price, 33, of Brandon, already dead.

Mr Price's wife, Susan, of Stackgarth, Brandon, said the woods were immediately behind the school her husband took their daughter to every day.

Mrs Price said the couple were on the point of separation, and that while he had previously attempted to take his life, he seemed no different when she last saw him.

She said: "He always felt as if he had the world on his shoulders."

Recording a verdict of suicide, North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle said a note left by Mr Price made clear his intentions.