A devoted husband hanged himself from a tree after learning his wife’s cancer had returned.

Brian Neale, 73, was devastated to learn his wife Christina, who had been in remission from cancer of the face and neck, would need more treatment and feared he would not be strong enough to help her through it.

A few weeks later, he took a ladder and some rope into the woods behind his house in Kiln Ride, Finchampstead, and hanged himself.

In his jacket, undertakers found a note that read: “I cannot bear to see Christina’s health failing in this way and it is to my deep shame.”

The couple had been married for 45 years.

The tragic tale unfolded at an inquest heard at Windsor Guildhall last Wednesday.

Coroner Peter Bedford told the court that 66-year-old Mrs Neale, who has since died, had first been diagnosed in 2005, but went into remission in 2006.

She was then diagnosed with cancer in early 2008 and further treatment was scheduled.

On May 20, however, Paul Groom, whose garden in Sandhurst Road backed on to woodland behind Kiln Ride, saw someone in the woodland.

When he looked more closely, he saw a ladder up against the tree and realised what had happened.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Bedford said: “Mr Neale was clearly very upset and anxious about his wife’s condition, and about his own health and the feeling he would not be able to support his wife.

“It was a tragedy for Mrs Neale that he was not able to be there, but obviously events were too overwhelming.”