A GRIEVING wife of a dad who killed himself told an inquest his mental health had seemed to improve in the run-up to his death.

The body of Nigel Parker-Clayton, 57, who suffered from depression, was discovered by wife Fiona at their home in Mitton Road, Whalley, on January 22.

But Mrs Parker-Clayton told an inquest how his mental health had been better than it had been for several years at Christmas.

She told the hearing in Blackburn: “We’d been married for 30 years and he had mental health issues. They began in 2009 and he had attempted to take his own life.

“But he engaged with mental health professionals. There were times when he didn’t want to interact with people and he’d become more resistant. But with encouragement and support, he would be willing to listen.

“In the Christmas before Nigel’s death, his mental health had been better than it had been for a number of years.”

Mrs Parker-Clayton told the inquest how her husband had seemed fine when she left the house to go to work on the day of his death.

But when she returned in the evening she discovered him hanged.

The inquest also heard from Karen Ritson, a community mental health nurse and Mr Parker-Clayton’s care co-ordinator, who said: “I knew Nigel well and his mental health seemed to have improved and he seemed to be feeling better.

“He had talked about his plans for the future and he was looking forward all the time.

“I would have said something if I’d suspected anything.”

Recording a conclusion of suicide, coroner Simon Jones, said: “There is clear evidence Mr Parker-Clayton’s mental welfare had appeared to improve significantly, so this is difficult to comprehend.

“But I’m entirely satisfied that he did intend to take his own life."