WIRRAL’S coroner has concluded that a fireman found dead at his Hoylake home had killed himself.

The body of Peter Wilkin, aged 40, was found hanging at his home in Rudd Street on the afternoon of April 22.

An inquest at Wallasey Town Hall on Thursday heard that Mr Wilkin had suffered depressive symptoms since the break-up of a five-year relationship.

Coroner’s officer Arthur Flower told the inquiry that Mr Wilkin, who worked at West Kirby Fire Station, had been signed off work as a result.

He had been living at the home of his mother, Barbara.

On the morning of April 22, he had breakfast and then went back to his own home.

He was said to have been very tearful and was reported to have said that he could not live without his ex-girlfriend.

Several attempts by Mr Wilkin's friends and family to contact him by phone and gain access to his home were unsuccessful.

Emergency services were later called and the body was discovered.

Police identified his body by means of a wallet and personal papers.

A note was also found which seemed to indicate an intention to commit self-harm.

A post-mortem conducted by Dr Sally Ann Collis at Arrowe Park Hospital revealed that death was due to hanging.

Recording a verdict that Mr Wilkin had killed himself, coroner Christopher Johnson said: “The manner and circumstances of the death leave me in no doubt that the he had intended to take his own life.”