A pensioner took his life after struggling to come to terms with a bone condition that would affect his quality of living, an inquest heard.

Pat Pattinson from Latimer Street was found dead at his home by his wife Pamela on October 8, last year.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard the 81-year-old had clinical depression as well as obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), and was worried about his quality of life after he was diagnosed with osteoporosis. The retired accountant was also anxious about a possible move away from Romsey.

Pamela Pattinson, Pat's widow, told the court that before moving to Romsey several years ago Pat was anxious about the change and spiralled into clinical depression. This resulted in Pat having a "traumatic" experience on a psychiatric ward.

When he was told about his osteoporosis in September last year by Dr Ian Keith at Alma Road Surgery, Mrs Pattinson said her husband told him: "I am very sorry I do not want to be here, I want to be dead."

However, Dr Keith's statement, which was read out in the hearing, said he did not express any suicidal thoughts, which the family disagreed with.

Mrs Pattinson said he was referred to the older person's mental health team and he was prescribed anti-anxiety medication.

On the day he died, Mrs Pattinson left the home briefly to go to Waitrose, when she returned she discovered her husband dead in the bedroom.

The cause of death according to pathologist Dr Adnan Al-Badri was hypoxia caused by suffocation.

Before the verdict was read out, a family member said: "My father did have OCPD, we knew about it for many years.

"Any major change in his life triggered something. My father had a pathological fear of illness and old age and he prided himself on looking after himself physically, tragically he did not look after himself mentally."

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of suicide.

Mr Short said: "The reason it seems to me is quite apparent, he could see no future quality of life, and what his son said about his fear of illness was a major factor and his osteoporosis.

"This was not something that was going to go, I think therefore that was the explanation for his actions."