A retired engineer who worried about his health was found hanged in woodland, an inquest heard.

Kenneth Taylor, 72, was well but was still concerned about having been exposed to substances such as asbestos chemicals during his working life, and falling ill.

Rachel Redman, coroner for Central and South East Kent, concluded that Mr Taylor committed suicide while suffering from anxiety.

Mr Taylor, of Cobbs Hill, Old Wives Lees, went missing on Wednesday, June 19, last year. Police found his body in woods two days later.

Mr Taylor’s widow, Henrietta, said his health had been fine but he was worried about it because he had worked with asbestos.

She told the hearing at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court: “He kept telling me he was going to commit suicide but I didn’t believe him.

"He also thought he had dementia and Alzheimer’s, that he would be put into a home and wouldn’t cope.”

“He kept telling me he was going to commit suicide but I didn’t believe him" - Henrietta Taylor

She had last seen him on the day he vanished, as did his GP, who arranged for a psychiatrist to see him next day. Mrs Taylor said that appointment also worried him.

Mr Taylor left home that evening at 5.15pm, to meet his friend Paul White in Chilham. Mr White said that Mr Taylor seemed depressed but said nothing about suicide.

Mr Taylor returned home and went out again. When he failed to come back the family reported him missing, just after midnight.

On June 21 his body was found in nearby woodland, off Selling Road.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and toxicology tests showed that he had taken no drink or drugs.