A 47-YEAR-old Hereford tattoo artist took his own life, an inquest heard.

Nigel Hoskins was found hanged at his home address in Rose Neath, Rotherwas on March 20.

The inquest at Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard he had suffered with depression after the end of a long term relationship and he was last reviewed at the end of June 2015.

A toxicology report showed he had recreational concentrations of alcohol and cocaine in his blood but neither were ruled significant in his death.

His friend and business partner Garrik James told the inquest he was due to meet Mr Hoskins at 1pm to go for a ride on their motorbikes but when he didn't arrive he went to Mr Hoskins' home address and found him deceased.

The inquest heard Mr Hoskins took steroids and he worked out every day. He took cocaine recreationally.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a verdict of suicide.

Mr Hoksins was a talented tattoo artist and ran a studio called Skin Wisdom in Hinton Road, Hereford.

His mum, Kathleen, said: "He was a wonderful son, brother, father and friend and we miss him dreadfully."