A FATHER'S body was discovered by his daughters after he killed himself on the spur of the moment over worries about losing his job and doing up his home, an inquest heard.

David Smart, 38, a Swindon Pressings worker, hanged himself from the rafters in his loft bedroom in Manor Cottages, South Marston, while his wife Suzanne and daughters, ten and 12, were out.

And, although he had been worried about possibly losing his job and renovating his home, his suicide on September 26 last year was a spur of the moment decision, the inquest heard.

Coroner David Masters said: "It was essentially a decision made on the spur of the moment and there was no evidence previously that he had been so anxious about matters that he had been considering this."

The inquest heard Mrs Smart and her daughters had returned from a party at 4.30pm to find the house locked.

They entered the house and Mrs Smart started to prepare food in the kitchen.

She sent her daughters upstairs to see if her husband was resting in his room.

They discovered him hanging from the roof.

One ran to the house of neighbour Simon Olive for help.

Mr Olive ran into the house and cut Mr Smart down but it was too late to save him.

Mrs Smart said she could not understand why her husband had done it it was a complete mystery to her.

The couple had a minor argument the day before and that week he had complained to his brother Kevin that looking after his dog was getting him down and that there was tension in his home.

He had remarked flippantly that if he were a heavy drinker he would climb up on to his roof and jump down.

But, apart from that, he had appeared in good spirits.

Kevin Smart said: "It was completely unexpected.

"I still cannot believe what he has done."

Previously Mr Smart had expressed anxiety about his job at Swindon Pressings because of plans to reduce the workforce.

He had also become increasingly concerned about the renovation of his home to which he devoted most of his spare time.

Mr Masters said: "I can only conclude that these pressures built up over the years.

"But there was nothing that would lead him to form the decision to take his own life.

"He had the usual ups and downs of family life but at work and at home he was a fun-loving and caring family man.

"He had even arranged a holiday for the family in October."

Mr Smart left a suicide note but this gave little away about his state of mind.

"It does not help in the usual way in confirming his intentions it was enigmatic," said Mr Masters.

He recorded a verdict of suicide.

Diana Milne