A Cardigan man took his life after declining health had a drastic impact on his lifestyle, Pembrokeshire Coroner heard on Thursday.

Robert John Williams, 72, was born in Cardigan where he later raised his family. He was a retired BT engineer and described as "an active person" who liked walking his dog in the surrounding countryside.

Coroner's Officer, Jeremy Davies told the inquest that after Mr Williams was diagnosed with anaemia it affected his lifestyle. He found it difficult to depend on others and questioned why it had happened to him.

He had to have fortnightly blood transfusions and regular visits from the district nurse. As his illness got worse he found it increasingly difficult to carry out everyday tasks such as cleaning his house.

In March last year his son, who lived in France, came back to Wales for a visit. He spoke to his father by phone every day, but when he tried to arrange a visit his father declined.

His son rang Mr Williams on March 6 and again the following day. When he received no reply for a third time he drove to his father's home.

He found his father in the garage and called 999. Paramedics arrived and pronounced life extinct.

A post mortem report said there was no sign of alcohol or drugs in Mr Williams' blood and gave the cause of death as hanging.

Pembrokeshire Coroner, Mark Layton, concluded:

"Mr Williams was troubled by his decline in health which impacted on his independence and his outdoor life style. From the evidence I'm satisfied that he intended to take his own life. I can conclude that he killed himself."