A Bovingdon shopkeeper took his own life after struggling with financial pressures and breaking up with his girlfriend, an inquest heard.

Kenneth French, of Old Dean, was found hanged in his home by police on September 16, 2013.

At an inquest into Mr French’s death today Edward Solomons, assistant coroner at Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court, said he could conclude beyond reasonable doubt that he "took his own life."

He said: "My findings and conclusions are that Mr French had suffered from a few issues in his life.

"He lost his business and his relationship had broken up and at the same time, suffered from depression.

"I have come to the conclusion that he took his own life.

"I express my most sincere condolences to the family and others affected by his death."

The court heard how Mr French had problems with anxiety and would often express concerns about his business, personal finances and personal life.

Evidence provided by the 59-year-old’s GP said that Mr French had visited on September 11 and during that visit, he said that "his mind was constantly busy with financial problems" and described his mood as "low."

The court heard that Kenneth, who was born in Kings Langley, said he was having suicidal thoughts but these were not "every day", although he had attempted to take his own life in the past.

Mr French was in arrears by more than £1,000 in his mortgage account and he had lost his shop, which he had run for 30 years because "he didn’t have enough money to keep it going."

He had also recently split from his girlfriend, who he had been with for three years.

Edward Solomons told the court that investigating officers did not find a suicide note at the scene.