AN academic died a day after he was found outside his Golden Valley home with significant burns.

Herefordshire coroner's court heard today that Simon Taylor, 65, was found by his wife.

He was taken from his Longtown home on December 23 of last year by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, but his injuries were such that he died in hospital the next day.

Peterchurch GP Dr Rod Champ told the inquest that Mr Taylor had a long history of mental health problems.

Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell concluded that Mr Taylor had died from burns and recorded a verdict of suicide.