A mechanic killed himself at his family's garage after battling with depression for several years, an inquest heard today.

Philip Howkins, 50, was found by his brother Paul in a company pick-up truck, with a pipe feeding exhaust fumes into the vehicle's cab at JH Howkins and Son, in Ferry Hinksey Road, West Oxford.

It was the second time he had tried to take his life in this way, the hearing in Oxford was told.

Paul Howkins tried to revive his brother, but said his body was cold and there were no signs of life.

He had gone to the garage on Sunday, March 2, after the family had grown worried about Philip's whereabouts.

His widow, Caroline Howkins, of The Crescent, Woodstock Road, Witney, said: "Philip had already been to the garage that morning to pick up some paperwork and brought it back home.

"We had a few cross words, but it was so minor I can't even remember what it was about now, and he went off again but didn't say where he was going."

His brother, of Eastfield Close, Headington, phoned to speak to Philip later that day and Caroline told him what had happened.

She said: "As the afternoon went on we began to get a bit worried. Philip had done this before, but would only be gone an hour or two.

"He then sent me a text saying something about being a useless husband and I needed a new one. I replied saying that was not the case. I still didn't know where he was."

When Mr Howkins had still not returned home later that day Paul went to look for him at the garage.

Mr Howkins said: "As I arrived at the front door I could hear the engine of the pick-up. On entering the building it was dark, but when I turned on the lights I could see the truck was in the same position we had left it but there was a pipe attached to the exhaust running around to the window and could see Philip in the driver's seat.

"I didn't know what state he was in but he was not showing any signs of life."

Paramedics were called and Philip Howkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

He had worked at his father John's garage since leaving school at 16.

The inquest heard from his GP, Dr Oliver Boland, who had been treating him for depression since May 2005 after he had first attempted to take his life. He appeared to be progressing well, Dr Boland said, although in January Mr Howkins again had "thoughts of hurting himself and feelings he would be better off dead".

A keen runner, he had been suffering from other medical conditions which had prevented him from doing his favourite sport, which his wife said "denied him something he really enjoyed".

County coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict that Mr Howkins had taken his own life.