AN INQUEST into the death of a man from North Lancashire who was found hanging in woods at Wimbledon Common, London, has been adjourned for further tests.

The body of Richard Holmes, 47, of Park View, Carnforth, was discovered last November, with a copy of a newspaper featuring a picture of a scantily clad women nearby.

Because of the presence of the photograph and its proximity to the fully-clothed body, Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapman this week adjourned the inquest for forensic tests to rule out auto erotic asphyxia.

Dr Knapman said he did not expect the tests to show anything of significance, and anticipated an open verdict at the resumed hearing.

The inquest heard that Mr Holmes had been treated for depression following the breakdown of his marriage and that he had hip problems which prevented him from working at his occupation as a quarryman.

Following his death it was also discovered that he had debts of about £5,000.

His brother-in-law, Colin Shaw, of Carnforth, told the hearing that "things were not going well for him," but that his family did not know he had sought treatment for depression.

On November 8 he went to Hampshire for a job interview.

His family expected to hear from him, but when he had not been in touch by November 20, he was reported missing to police.

Two days before his body was found, Mr Holmes had attended Islington Police Station to report that his bags had been stolen from Waterloo Station.

He had told police officers that he was "fed up with life" and that he was in London looking for work.

Pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl said the cause of death was hanging.

The inquest was adjourned until February 26.