FARMER Bob Griffiths who had suffered with long-term depression has been found dead with a gunshot wound.

The father of two, who would have been 40 on Saturday, is believed to have taken his own life.

His body was discovered on Monday in a shed in the farm which he ran in Manningford.

Mr Griffiths, who lived at the other farm he ran, Church Farm in Woodborough, had been married for 15 years and had two children, Peter, ten, and Louise, eight.

His death was a second blow for his wife Liz whose father John Waite, who had farmed in the Pewsey Vale all his life, died last year.

Police are investigating the death and Wiltshire Coroner David Masters was due to open an inquest yesterday afternoon.

Mrs Griffiths said her husband had suffered with depression for a considerable time although he only sought medical help last year.

Paramedics rescued him from a previous suicide attempt, by poisoning, about a year ago. He spent some time in hospital and on his release said he was determined to spend more time with his children.

After the previous suicide attempt police asked Mr Griffiths to surrender his shooting licence and guns. On Monday he was killed by a homemade device containing a shotgun cartridge.

Details of the funeral will be announced later.