A MAN was found dead by his estranged wife after he set her a Valentine's Day text message saying he was sorry their marriage had failed, an inquest was told.

Simon West, 42, told Elaine West in the text message: "Thank you Elaine. I'm so sorry as ever."

The message arrived in the early hours of Valentine's Day, February 14.

Two days later, Mrs West went to the flat in Harwood Street, Darwen, into which Mr West had moved following their separation in September 2002, but could not get into the living room.

She told coroner Michael Singleton that she got a friend to help her into the room, where she found Mr West hanging from the doorframe.

Mrs West told the coroner that she and Mr West had first split up in June 2002, but got back together in August 2002.

In the short time they were back together, he had taken an overdose, which Mrs West put down to 'a cry for help.'

Days before his death, Mrs West had gone to see a solicitor about beginning divorce proceedings.

Mrs West said that her husband had suggested she do that if she was sure they would not get back together.

Recording a suicide verdict, Mr Singleton said: "The medical report states that your husband would have died instantly, and that no matter how much sooner you had visited, you would not have been in any better position to help him."