A VALE man was discovered by his son lying on his study floor with a gunshot wound to his head.

Michael Slough and his son Edward were both shotgun holders and both went shooting on a regular basis, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Mr Slough, a 53-year-old security manager for a postal company was found dead at his home in Lower Wolverton, Pershore on Friday, September 17, said Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round.

Reading from Det Sgt Keith Weale's report, Mr Round said that Mr Slough confided to his son that he was getting frustrated with his work, because he did not have enough time to himself.

Mr Round said Mr Slough was getting worried about work related matters, and clearly bottling up the stress.

Det Sgt Weale's report said that leading up to his death, Mr Slough had not had a day off for three weeks.

It said that at 5.20am on Friday, September 17, Mr Slough's son got ready for work, he heard his mother Carole was up, and joined her downstairs at about 5.50am. While they were in the kitchen they heard a bang just before 6am. The police were called and they found Mr Slough with a Rizzini shotgun and a spent cartridge beside him..

In a statement to the police Mr Slough's son said: "My father's never spoken of taking his life in any way and this comes as a total shock."

Geoffrey Smith, pathologist, said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

Mr Round recorded that Mr Slough "took his own life," at the Stourport-on-Severn inquest.