A DEPRESSED man gassed himself after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard.

Paul Yates, of Padgate Place, Burnley, was found in his car on land off Rossendale Road on October 15 last year. A pipe had been attached from the exhaust through an open window.

The inquest heard toxicology tests also showed he had taken a fatal dose of amphetamines, painkillers and cannabis.

A friend, Richard Horton, of Curlew Gardens, Burnley, said he had spent the night with Mr Yates five days before he died when he talked about taking his own life and joining friends who had died.

Mr Yates' partner, Barbara Williams, said he had suffered from depression in the past and had often gone missing for days at a time.

She said that a couple of days before his death he had disappeared after leaving a note saying he was sorry and that he was going away for a few days.

Acting East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict that he had taken his own life.