A newspaper’s finance controller killed himself days after handing in his resignation and then withdrawing it, an inquest has been told.

Nicholas McDermott, who worked for the Express & Echo in Exeter, had been suffering pressures at work, according to his partner.

Jane Evans told the hearing: “I know Nick was experiencing more and more pressures at work.

“On numerous occasions Nick and I discussed work pressures and he was often reduced to tears and expressed concerns that he was unable to cope with the workload.”

She found his body hanging from the loft of his Exeter home when she went to his house because he had not answered her calls.

The court was told how she begged him not to withdraw his notice – but he said he could not cope with the worry of unemployment.

When the 34-year-old failed to arrive at work the next day, both Jane and two of his bosses went to his house on June 2, using her key to get in.

Exeter and Greater Devon Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland recorded a verdict that Nicholas took his own life.