AN EASTLEIGH man hanged himself after sending a text message on his mobile phone to his girlfriend reading: "See you on the other side."

Unemployed Simon Harper, 38, of Ruskin Road, was found dead by a man walking his dogs near the Harvester Pub in Twyford Road on March 20.

A post-mortem report revealed that Mr Harper had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.

The inquest at Winchester heard how Mr Harper had a long history of orthopaedic problems but a medical report also said he did not appear to be clinically depressed.

The deputy coroner read out a statement from Simon Cornwell, with whom Mr Harper had lodged. They had been friends for four years.

Mr Cornwell said that, on the evening before Mr Harper's body was found, they drank three or four cans of beer each and Mr Harper had been exchanging frantic text messages with his girlfriend. He had left the house carrying his mobile phone.

Mr Cornwell said the pair had had a tempestuous relationship.

Mr Harper's girlfriend Lisa Stevens, 18, told the inquest they had been having an "up and down" relationship but she did think of it as long-term.

He had complained to her in the past of having "had enough" of life and had said that he should have a mortgage and not a room at his friend's house - but that recently he had also said things were falling into place.

On the night of March 19, Miss Stevens said she had received some text messages which she described as "not like him".

She went to his house at 4.30am but could not get an answer. She called again at 7am to find the police were there.

Deputy central Hampshire coroner Simon Burge recorded a verdict of suicide.