A FATHER-of-three has been found hanged at his home near Selby, it was revealed today.

Police made the discovery after breaking into the house, in Meadow Garth, Thorpe Willoughby.

They found Dave Watson, 41, in one of the bedrooms. An inquest heard that he died from asphyxiation due to hanging.

North Yorkshire acting coroner Geoff Fell adjourned the inquest pending further inquiries.

Mr Watson and his wife, Mavis, have three children aged 18, 16 and eight. Police broke into the house on December 28 after being alerted by relatives. It is understood that Mr Watson had been in hospital and had returned home for a Christmas break.

He had worked at Wistow Mine for more than ten years after moving with his family from the Castleford area. Selby coroner's officer PC George Beattie said: "I have spoken to the widow and she is very distressed."

Ken Rowley, National Union of Mineworkers' secretary at Wistow Mine, said: "I knew Dave quite well. He was a nice lad and a good worker. He had been off work for several months with a bad back."

The funeral will be held at Pontefract Crematorium next Monday.

Updated: 14:25 Thursday, January 03, 2002