A MAN in Woolacombe committed suicide because he wanted to be with his wife, an inquest has heard.

Ronald Malin, 84, was found dead at his farmhouse near Woolacombe on November 30 last year. He died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

An inquest at North Devon Magistrates' Court last Wednesday heard his wife Peggy died a few months before.

Deputy coroner John Tomalin said: "Mr Malin was devastated at the loss of his wife Peggy after they had been together for over 50 years. He found being without her intolerable. Notwithstanding the regular help and support from his sons, he expressed the wish that he wanted to be with Peggy. This wish resulted in the actions which took place."

Mr Malin was a retired mechanic who was born in Oxfordshire.

He is the father of Christine, Susan, Nick and Steve. and has eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.