A FATHER was found hanging from a tree behind a village pub by a paperboy on Saturday morning.

Simon Grout, 43, was found outside the Three Horseshoes in Chapmanslade as the boy made his deliveries at 9.15am.

Mr Grout was originally from Salisbury and his last known address was in Westbury, but recently he had been living in a campervan. It is believed his ex-partner lives in Chapmanslade. He also has a young son.

Phil Read, who owns the Three Horseshoes, was not at the pub when the body was found.

"I was only chatting to him about two or three days before it happened. He seemed like a quiet chap," he said.

"He wasn't happy as Larry but there didn't seem to be anything particularly the matter with him either. I believe he had relationship problems. I was very surprised. When someone with a young son takes his own life it's not a nice thing to happen."

Mr Reid said he did not know the boy who found the body but said it could not have been a pleasant discovery. "One of the young girls working in the pub has just left to have a baby.

"The thought of her going outside and finding him is horrible. It must have happened after we locked up."

Police, who have contacted Mr Grout's next of kin, confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

An inquest into the tragedy was opened and adjourned at Salisbury coroner's court on Wednesday.