A WORKER died 12 days after being found hanged outside a hotel, an inquest heard.

Bolton Coroner's Court heard how Joe Howarth, of Southfield Drive, Westhoughton, was part of a team installing audio visual equipment at locations throughout the country.

On August 18 they travelled from Cambridge to spend the night at the Premier Inn at Boreham, Chelmsford.

Area Coroner Alan Walsh heard how 24-year-old Mr Howarth became drunk during the evening and at 11.30pm he and colleague Robert Marsh went up to the room they were sharing.

Mr Marsh told the court how, just before midnight, Mr Howarth left the room saying he was going for a cigarette, but when he had not returned half an hour later he went to find him.

"I went into the reception and the receptionist was crying so I knew something was wrong," said Mr Marsh.

Hotel staff had seen Mr Howarth walk through the lobby.

But a short time later they found him hanged close to the hotel entrance door.

The manager tried to resuscitate him and paramedics who were called were successful in restarting Mr Howarth's heart, rushing him to hospital in Chelmsford where doctors found he had suffered brain damage and was in a coma.

Mr Howarth was transferred to the Royal Bolton Hospital five days later, but his life support was turned off after the extent of his injuries became apparent. He died on August 31.

His mother, Barbara Howarth, said her son had had a series of jobs and had previously had counselling after taking drugs.

His former girlfriend, Amy Hodgson, with whom he lived in Leigh until Christmas last year, told how he once took an overdose of painkillers, but told her immediately and promised not to do it again.

Despite splitting up, the couple remained in contact and at the Premier Inn he messaged her several times via Snapchat.

The final message just after midnight said: "Bye, I'm sorry."

Mr Walsh said Mr Howarth died from a brain injury due to asphyxia and cardiac arrest brought on by hanging but recorded an open verdict.

He said that because he had been drinking and chose a public place to hang himself he could not be satisfied Mr Howarth intended to kill himself.