A FATHER-of-five hanged himself from a pylon after suffering from years of depression and anxiety, an inquest heard today.

Martin Delaney, a member of the travelling community, was found dead after a search involving a police helicopter near the M25 on May 10.

The inquest at Wycombe Magistrates' Court heard the 38-year-old had attempted to hang himself eight years ago.

In a statement, his wife of 20 years, Anne, said: “He had got it into his head people were talking about him. He was very paranoid.

“He didn't try to take his own life after that but he did talk about it quite a lot. He said he had ruined my life and our children's lives and he would be better off dead.”

She added: “He used to get anxious when surrounded by other people. His heart would beat so fast it felt like it would beat out of his chest.”

Mr Delaney, who lived on a travellers' site at Roberts Lane, Chalfont St Peter, was prescribed Prozac three years ago which “seemed to really help him”, his wife told the inquest. He came off the drug two years later of his own accord but started taking it again days before his death.

Early in the morning of May 10 Mrs Delaney realised he wasn't in bed but thought he had gone out for a cigarette. When he failed to return she called the police.

Following a search of the area he was found hanged from a pylon off Slade Oak Lane near Chalfont St Peter.

Traces of Prozac were found in his bloodstream during the post-mortem.

Coroner Richard Hulett recorded a verdict that Mr Delaney took his own life.