A MAN described as "hard working" committed suicide over worries about the future of his job, an inquest heard this week.

David Poole, who was 48 and from Rowlestone, died of head injuries caused by his own digger on June 6.

Mr Poole had been suspended the day before from his job as a plant machine operator at Collins Design and Build where the father-of-three had worked on and off for 28 years.

Margaret Sevenoaks, his partner, described him as anxious about losing his job and, after an argument between them, he had packed an overnight bag on June 5.

Monday's inquest heard Mr Poole sent a text message to his brother, who was on holiday at the time, asking if he could stay. He also asked where a key was stored which he found.

A search was sent out the next evening after Mr Poole failed to respond to phone calls.

His body was found shortly after 9.30pm on June 6, at a property in Dulas, near Longtown, where the digger was stored.

Sergeant David Bishop, from Hereford, said that Mr Poole was found under the digger with a cord in his hand attached to a lever inside.

During the hearing held at Hereford Town Hall, county coroner Mark Bricknell said that there was evidence that Mr Poole felt concerned and disturbed about his job.

"At some point he decided to take his own life which is effectively suicide and he died of head injuries," said Mr Bracknell.