A FORMER soldier killed himself after battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, an inquest has found.

The body of Ian Hilton, 36, was discovered by his brother Lee at their home in Peridot Close, Blackburn, on December 11.

Mr Hilton had served in the infantry and the inquest heard he had struggled with the grief and memories from his time in the army.

The hearing in Blackburn found that Mr Hilton had taken his own life having tried to do so several days earlier which had resulted in a visit to his GP.

The inquest heard from his brother Lee who said he had been struggling with his mental health in the run-up to his death.

He said: "My wife and I lived with Ian for about seven years at the house.

"Prior to his death, he had been struggling but he'd never tell us what was wrong.

"He'd just say that everything is bothering him and that's he not happy."

Mr Hilton told the inquest how his brother had seemed more outgoing in the hours before his death.

He said: "I last saw him around midnight and he seemed more outgoing.

"He had been very withdrawn and quiet in the previous few weeks.

"But he spoke to us and he seemed better than he had been for a while. Something changed that night, I don't know what it was."

The inquest also heard how Mr Hilton, who worked as a security guard, had previously attempted to take his own life.

He had also been struggling with financial and work pressures and a breakdown in the relationship he had been in and had sought help from mental health services.

In a statement, Hannah Scott, a mental health practitioner at Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, said: "On December 3 I received an urgent referral from Mr Hilton's GP.

"I spoke to the GP who informed me that Mr Hilton had attempted to end his life the previous weekend."

Recording a conclusion of suicide, area coroner for Lancashire, Simon Jones, said that Mr Hilton had a history of problems with mental health.

He added: "I'm entirely satisfied that he intended to take his own life.

"Mr Hilton was found at his home in Peridot Close having hanged himself.

"You were clearly close to your brother and you and your wife offered constant support to him.

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to you as a family."