A GRIEVING couple have paid tribute to their son after an inquest heard how he took his own life with his shotgun.

Barbara and Thomas Walker, of Copperfield Close, Malton, said their 34-year-old son, Kevin, was a talented stonemason and a keen weightlifter and body-builder, who was liked by everyone he met.

He worked for William Anelay Ltd of Murton, York, on restoration projects at churches across Yorkshire and as far away as Orkney. Local churches where he worked included St Matthew's at Naburn and St Mary's, Selby.

"He was very fit," said Mrs Walker. "He used to play squash a lot when he left school, and did clay pigeon shooting until about six years ago. He won medals and so on."

She said he later took up weightlifting and was always at the gym after finishing work.

"Everybody liked him. Not one person ever gave him a bad name. He was a model son."

She said it had come as a bolt out of the blue and a terrible shock when police had visited the family home one day in April to say Kevin's body had been found in a van parked in a layby at Rudston, near Bridlington.

She said he had been building a bungalow at Swinton for his girlfriend and himself, but the relationship had ended and he had been living back with them when the tragedy happened.

"He simply got on with his life. He was never depressed - he never showed it to us. I don't think I will ever get over it."

Hull Coroner Geoffrey Saul recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing that a note had been left for police in the van.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, August 16, 2001