A SKI-instructor obsessed that MI5 were trying to take his money took his own life after suffering from depression and panic attacks.

John Marchal, 55, of Park Road, Waterfoot, who worked at Ski Rossendale, was said to be convinced that agents were watching his every move.

His friend Dawn Johnson, of Hawthorn Meadows, Crawshawbooth, gave evidence at his inquest held yesterday at Burnley Magistrates Court.

She said: "I had known John for the past 14 or 15 years. He used to come round every now and again and he used to worry about anything and everything. He suffered panic attacks and depression.

"He used to ring up at two and three in the morning for two hours and go over the same point over and over again. He always worried he was short of money if he had to go into sheltered accommodation and wouldn't be able to afford his new knees which he needed because he had bad knees.

"He thought MI5 were taping his phone calls so he came round to ours to use the phone. He was obsessed they were going to take all his money off him."

Pathologist Dr Salma said his death was caused by hanging. He said there was some alcohol in his blood but that was not significant.

Richard Taylor, Acting East Lancashire Coroner, said: "Mr Marchal carried out a deliberate act by killing himself with his belt. It doesn't appear anyone was likely to find him because the doors were locked and there weren't any suspicious circumstances."