Anxiety over early retirement led to the death of a “loving husband and wonderful father” from Rickmanworth.

Gordon Mundon, 61, hung himself from his bedpost on Sunday, February 28 this year.

However, Hertfordshire Coroner Edward Thomas was not convinced Mr Mundon intended to kill himself and recorded a verdict of self-harm.

He said: “He sounds like a lovely man. He was somebody who was very much a loving husband and wonderful father to his two children.”

Mr Mundon had accepted voluntary redundancy but never settled into early retirement, Hatfield Coroner's Court heard today (Thursday).

He “worried a lot”, about money and whether he should buy a new car, and began repair jobs around his home in Harefield Road.

Mr Mundon and his wife Sue also discussed the possibility of him finding part-time work and, after a visit to his GP, he was given some anti-depressants.

In a statement read out at Hatfield Coroner's Court, Mrs Mundon described him as a “natural worrier”.

She added: “But he also had a great sense of humour and is missed by a great many people.”

Mrs Mundon said on the day he died, as she began preparing their evening meal, he went upstairs.

Later that night, she went upstairs and found his body on the bedroom floor.

Neighbour Helen Richards, described Mr Mundon as a “really nice chap”.

“Ultimately he made the decision [to take redundancy] but almost immediately he regretted what he did. He was very anxious. We thought after Christmas he was beginning to come to terms with the fact he was retired.

“He was looking forward and talking about the future. His wife was very supportive of him and he was very fond of her. He had lots of friends and family.”

Mr Mundon's death was caused by suspension but no suicide notes were found.

Therefore, Mr Thomas said, he was unconvinced Mr Mundon intended to kill himself.

He said: ”Mr Mundon seems to have been a very caring and considerate man to him and his family and friends. If he really wanted to die, he would have written down why because that's always the question.

“This might have been a sign of anxiety. It may have been a statement that he couldn't cope but that's not the same as 'I want to die'. I'm not satisfied he really wanted to die. This is a tragedy.”