A CAR salesman killed himself at the fourth attempt, an inquest has heard.

Stuart Arthur Jones was found dead in room 21 of the Travel Inn in Preston Brook, Runcorn.

Warrington Coroners Court heard he had tried to gas has himself in 1976 and 1985, and had taken an overdose in 1990.

Each time he was suffering personal or financial problems.

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said Mr Jones had no history of mental illness but 'seemed to be impulsive in times of crisis'.

Mr Jones, 51, from Mallard Close in Beechwood, took the overdose at the Travel Inn with his ex-girlfriend's anti-depressant tablets in November last year, a week after they had split up.

Staff at the Travel Inn went to clean his room the morning after he booked in but could get no answer.

They went in and found a grey-faced Mr Jones lying in bed with some white powder close by.

His mother, Vera Jones, also of Mallard Close, said her son also had financial problems at the time.

The coroner said two notes found at the scene left him in no doubt that Mr Jones intended suicide.

Mr Rheinberg recorded a verdict of suicide by Dothiepin overdose.