A PENSIONER being treated for depression hanged himself with a length of electric cable.

An inquest on Teesside heard that 93-year-old Richard Trigg was independent, but received daily visits from care assistants as his health deteriorated.

The widower's son, retired fashion designer David Trigg, 63, said: "He seemed fed up, but there was nothing else said which would indicate something seriously wrong. We in general complained about the ability of the carers.''

He said his father's kitchen was flooded after a care worker failed to close the door of his washing machine. Another time, his fridge was accidentally switched off and his stock of food had to be thrown out.

One care worker brought a small child on a visit to his house, in Marlborough Road, Skelton. The child ran around, knocking over Royal Doulton ornaments.

David Trigg said: "He was okay, but there were anxieties about his care."

Earnest Shimmin, social services manager with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, told the inquest that had complaints been made about the care provided by contracted firm Carewatch, they would have been investigated, but none had been received.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict that Richard Trigg killed himself.