A KENT police officer took his own life because he felt he could not cope with the pressures of his job, an inquest heard.

In the days leading up to his death in February, Dean Tring, 38, of Halstow Close, Loose, Maidstone, told his mother and a colleague that he intended to kill himself to end years of depression and anxiety.

On February 17, while his wife, Catherine, was taking their two children to school, he hanged himself at their home.

At the inquest into PC Tring's death, coroner Roger Sykes heard how the officer was hard-working, dedicated and well respected and liked by his colleagues at Maidstone Police Station.

Det Insp Tony Kofkin said PC Tring had worked for Kent Police since 1987 and had been a member of Maidstone's Town Centre Policing Unit for three years. But his work had been disrupted by bouts of anxiety and depression.

He was on almost constant medication and, in 1999, was admitted to Priority House in Maidstone for treatment.

Det Insp Kofkin said: "Just before Christmas 2002 he began to feel anxious again. There was a minor change in his role which meant that the people arrested by the town centre policing unit were processed by them as well."

The inquest heard that PC Tring felt unable to cope with the role. He was moved into the police's property office but had a breakdown on Tuesday, February 11 and took sick leave.

He was offered hospital admission but did not take it as he wanted to be at home with his family.

The coroner said PC Tring had received all the help he could have had from his family, but added: "Sadly, when a person has decided they wish to take their own life there will be many opportunities for them to do it. There is nothing anyone can do to stop that happening."

He recorded a verdict of suicide while suffering from depressive illness.