BUILDING firm boss Nigel Hamilton shot himself in the head in a remote field after becoming depressed over a business deal and his health, an inquest heard.

Mr Hamilton, 60, of Foss Lodge, Grittleton, near Chippenham, shot himself with his own shotgun at Four Acres, a field between Grittleton and Sherston, on September 26, concluded coroner William Bache.

The inquest, in Chippenham, heard Mr Hamilton was a partner in a building firm but had become concerned about a wrangle over a house his company was building in Wootton Bassett.

He was also on medication for feet and knee problems.

On September 25 Mr Hamilton visited his daughter Rebecca, 22, a bar manager at The White Hart pub, in Ford, near Chippenham, to say he was thinking of taking his own life. She had been sworn to secrecy.

Miss Hamilton, who lives in Acton Turville, said her mother, Lynne Hamilton, called her at 1.30pm the next day to say her father was missing. Mr Hamilton's business partner, Marcus Hurcumber, said he last saw Mr Hamilton leaving the Wootton Bassett job on the afternoon of September 26.

Mrs Hamilton said her husband suffered from occasional bouts of depression, adding he was also was prone to drinking a lot during certain periods.

PC Martin Alvis, of Malmesbury police, told the inquest that Mr Hamilton's body was found next to his pick-up truck. Ten empty eight packs of paracetamol and a partly consumed bottle of whisky were found in the truck.

Mr Bache recorded a verdict that Mr Hamilton killed himself.