A family has paid tribute to a Ffosyffin man who travelled to Birmingham and killed himself after an argument with his wife.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton heard that the body of Gareth Llewellyn Davies was found hanged, by a woman walking her dog near an old BMX track in the Yardley Wood area on 4 April.

Mr Brunton heard that Mr Davies, 53, left his home in the early hours of 2 April following an argument with his wife.

Alison Davies said the family had been for a day out which had gone well, but after Mr Davies, 53, had been drinking at home later that night he became argumentative and accused her of “getting on his back” about drinking.

Mrs Davies thought it was minor disagreement and had gone out to see a friend while Mr Davies calmed down, but when she returned home she found his car had gone.

Mrs Davies told the inquest that she thought her husband, who had a history of depression, had gone out to calm down, but when he hadn’t returned in the early afternoon of 2 April she got a friend to call the police.

Police Sergeant Huw Jones said police checks showed that Mr Davies’s car had been driving out of the Dyfed-Powys area towards the Midlands.

Mr Davies’s body was found by a walker on 4 April with receipts showing he had bought items that he used to take his life.

Mr Brunton, recording a verdict of suicide, said it appeared that the argument with his wife had more of an impact on Mr Davies than it did on Mrs Davies, who had thought it was just a minor disagreement.

He said there were “strong indicators” that Mr Davies had planned to take his life with the receipts found by the police.

After the inquest Mr Davies’s family said in a statement: “We would like to pay tribute to a much-loved son and brother, who had an incredible fun side and was well-liked by his work colleagues and all he met.

“A back injury some years ago left him in chronic pain, which probably contributed to the depression he suffered.

“We are absolutely heartbroken but hope his tortured soul will now rest in peace.”

If you have been distressed or disturbed by this report, you can ring the Samaritans on 08457 909090