A 24-YEAR-OLD man found hanging at his home may not have intended to kill himself, an inquest heard.

Anthony Michael Shaw, known as Tony, was found hanging at his home in Johnston Close, Blackburn, on January 26.

The inquest heard that Tony was not known to suffer from depression or had harmed himself in the past.

His girlfriend Laken Smith said at the inquest that they had been in the Alexandra pub with some friends, he then left suddenly for no reason.

Laken, who had been going out with Tony for two years and lived with him for a year, said: "He was allright, just normal.

"He left the pub fairly suddenly, I don't know why. It was out of character for him to do that.

"I didn't speak to him about that.

"I went to my friends house and I didn't speak to him again."

Tony's mum Pauline Shaw, of Conway Avenue, Blackburn, found Tony hanging at the top of the stairs, the inquest was told.

She said: "I found the door was open, it was unlocked then I saw Tony on the stairs.

"I went to him straight away, he was dead, then I went looking for Laken but she wasn't there, the dogs were.

"I ran next door and asked them to phone the police.

"He never had any concerns that he was depressed or anything like that, that's what I can't understand.

"I had seen him on the Tuesday before, he was fine, he was normal, there was nothing that caused me concern."

The inquest was told that police searched the property but no note was found.

Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton said: "Although Anthony has been found hanging it doesn't necessarily mean that he intended to bring about his death.

"Sometimes people do these things as a cry for help.

"I cannot be certain he intended to bring about his death. I do not know what his intentions were."

She recorded an open verdict.