A PENSIONER crippled with chronic pain and grieving the death of his wife killed himself when he could take no more, an inquest heard.

Bernard Cosgrove took a cocktail of anti-depressants, sleeping pills and pain killers after leaving a note for his daughter and son-in-law.

The inquest heard the 84-year-old, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, lost his wife four years ago and suffered a number of illnesses which made even the most basic tasks painful.

Son-in-law Eric Dinsdale, also of Barkerhouse Road, told the court: "He lost his wife about four years ago and missed her terribly, it was a real strain for him to cope with her death, though we did not suspect he would do anything like this, it came as a real bolt from the blue."

Acting East Lancashire Coroner recorded a verdict that Mr Cosgrove had taken his own life.