A WOMAN has told how her partner left home to go fishing - only to be found hanging from a tree three months later.

Catherine Whittle is still coming to terms with the discovery of the decomposed body of Hayden Smith, her common-law husband, in Charnock Richard on Sunday.

Mr Smith, 29, was released -- electronically tagged and under curfew -- from Preston Prison on July 10 this year.

He had served just over five months of a 15-month sentence for handling stolen goods.

He returned home to Catherine and their four children, aged 18 months, three, five and seven, in Harestone Avenue, Chorley, but went missing three days later.

Mr Smith, a former milkman and qualified forklift truck driver, and Catherine had been together for 11 years. Catherine, 29, said: "He changed so much, he was a totally different person. I don't know what went on in prison."

He disappeared the week school broke up for the summer holidays. Mr Smith left in Catherine's car even though he was banned from driving.

"He just went. I was shouting 'come back'. After he didn't come back I just thought he was hiding from the police," said Catherine.

Two people strolling on land close to Copper Beech Farm, Mill Lane, came across the body. It was badly decomposed and police estimated it had been there for around three months. Mr Smith was identified by an electronic tag fitted around his ankle.

A large-scale search was mounted on July 14 after his family reported him missing.

Officers scoured nearby woodland and a small pond as Hayden, an ex-Southlands High pupil, had been known to frequent the Mill Lane area, close to the Charnock Richard motorway service station. His body was discovered just outside the area searched by officers.

Detective Constable Tracey Robinson of Wheelton CID said: "I can confirm the body of a young man was discovered on Sunday, October 26, at around 1.30pm.

"A member of the public called the police and the scene was attended by officers from Wheelton and the duty detective sergeant from Skelmersdale police station.

"It was clear from the position of the body that there were no suspicious circumstances and the case has now been referred to the coroner's office."

Officers from the Scientific Support Team were called to the scene and shut the area to members of the public for several hours while they began their investigation.

An inquest was opened on Wednesday at Preston Coroner's Court.