A PENSIONER and keen fisherman fed up with being housebound hanged himself from a River Foss bridge, an inquest heard.

Thomas Delaney, 91, of Horsman Avenue, York, was last seen on February 9 this year, but his body was not recovered until April 1.

He was spotted by schoolchildren close to Castle Mills Bridge with a note in his wallet saying "Ask for Bob", giving the address and phone number of his stepson Robert Thornton.

It is thought he jumped from the bridge with a ligature round his neck, which coroner Donald Coverdale stated as the cause of death, but the rope then snapped dropping the body into the river below.

He had been suffering from severe leg ulcers and had talked about suicide two years before, the inquest at York County Court heard.

Stepson Mr Thornton, from Fulford, said that Mr Delaney loved the river and fishing and had once talked of throwing himself in the river.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.

Updated: 08:27 Friday, September 07, 2001