GUITARIST James 'Jimmi' Lawrence from one of Britain's most talked about up-and-coming rock bands, Hope of the States, was found hanged at Peter Gabriel's recording studios in Box.

Fellow band members discovered the 26-year-old's body hanging from roof timbers at 4.30pm last Thursday, at Real World Studios, where they were putting the finishing touches to their first album.

Attempts to revive Mr Lawrence, from Chichester, failed and he was declared dead at the scene. Police said they are not treating the circumstances of his death as suspicious.

In their statement the band failed to offer any reasons as to why the musician may have committed suicide, but said they found it difficult to believe he intended to take his own life.

Mr Lawrence's parents were too upset to comment.

The inquest into his death was opened in Melksham by the Wiltshire Coroner's office on Tuesday.

"We would ask that this awful event not be co-opted as a glamorous 'rock 'n roll death'," the statement read.

"We will forever believe this was not supposed to happen and our dear friend would hate to be thought of in this way.

"We have lost our friend in a tragic and heartbreaking way. His sense of humour, sensitivity, talent, intelligence and above all genuinely caring nature will be sadly missed.

"Our last days with Jimmi were the happiest we have ever shared together. He was immensely proud and happy with his work on the record and could not wait for others to hear it.

"We are devastated that he will never hear it with us, never play guitar, have a drink, a laugh or a conversation with us again."

A studio spokesman said: "Everyone at Real World enjoyed working with James. He was a very talented musician and he was a pleasure to be with in the studio.

"We will all miss him greatly and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with his family and friends at this time."

Hope of the States, formed in their home town of Chichester in Sussex was hailed as the next big thing on the Indie music scene and last year they drew favourable comparisons with Radiohead from critics. The expectations surrounding the band resulted in a record contract from music giant Sony Records and they were tipped to go on to achieve mainstream success.