A RETIRED horse trainer found hanging in a woodland area took his own life according to a coroner.

A RETIRED horse trainer found hanging in a woodland area took his own life according to a coroner.

An inquest in Bury St Edmunds yesterday heard that John Payne, 61, of Hamilton Road, Newmarket, had given no indication that he was suicidal.

Mr Payne was discovered by a man walking his dogs at Woodland Area, Middleton Stud in Newmarket at about 8pm on August 10. Andrew O'Connor heard his dog barking at something and when he went investigate he looked up and saw a white male hanging lifeless from a tree. The inquest heard he called the police and when paramedics arrived Mr Payne was pronounced dead at the scene.

In recording his verdict of suicide coroner Dr Peter Dean said: “There was no note but considering all the facts he clearly understood what he was doing. It appears that Mr Payne took himself to a remote location for the purpose of taking his own life.”