FATHER-of-two who hanged himself at home never sought medical help despite suffering from long-term depression, an inquest was told.

John Whittle, aged 37, was found dead by police officers at his flat in Albert Road, Farnworth.

His mother, Joan, had raised the alarm after learning he had not been seen for two days.

She told Bolton Coroner's Court: "He seemed to be suffering from depression but would not go to a GP. Everyone tried to help him. We all did the best we could."

The court heard that Mr Whittle had two children, a girl aged 11 and an eight-year-old boy, with his former long-term partner.

They had been together for more than a decade before the relationship ended in June last year. Mr Whittle then moved to his flat. He saw his children regularly before his death in November.

But the court heard the tool setter had started drinking heavily. A pathologist who carried out the post-mortem said he had drunk six or seven pints of alcohol on the day he died.

Mr Whittle's mother said: "He used to say he was going to end it all but you could never tell with John. We all tried to help him."

The police found a large number of letters and photographs of Mr Whittle's children in the room where he died.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Bolton Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "Mr Whittle took his own life. He clearly suffered from depression for many years but would not be persuaded to seek help." A FATHER-of-two who hanged himself at home never sought medical help despite suffering from long-term depression, an inquest was told.

John Whittle, aged 37, was found dead by police officers at his flat in Albert Road, Farnworth.

His mother, Joan, had raised the alarm after learning he had not been seen for two days.

She told Bolton Coroner's Court: "He seemed to be suffering from depression but would not go to a GP. Everyone tried to help him. We all did the best we could."

The court heard that Mr Whittle had two children, a girl aged 11 and an eight-year-old boy, with his former long-term partner.

They had been together for more than a decade before the relationship ended in June last year. Mr Whittle then moved to his flat. He saw his children regularly before his death in November.

But the court heard the tool setter had started drinking heavily. A pathologist who carried out the post-mortem said he had drunk six or seven pints of alcohol on the day he died.

Mr Whittle's mother said: "He used to say he was going to end it all but you could never tell with John. We all tried to help him."

The police found a large number of letters and photographs of Mr Whittle's children in the room where he died.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Bolton Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "Mr Whittle took his own life. He clearly suffered from depression for many years but would not be persuaded to seek help."