A former soldier from Bolton was found dead in his van after years of struggling with his mental health.

Luke Manning's family described him as someone who "loved his job as a delivery driver" and who had also loved his time in the army.

Mr Manning was discovered by his girlfriend Rhiannon Davies outside her home in Gorton Road, Salford, unconscious in his van earlier this year, Bolton Coroner’s Court heard.

The 28-year-old, whose usual residence was in Trent Way, Kearsley, had been struggling with his mental health ever since his army days, when he had witnessed a friend’s death.

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His brother, Adam Manning, said: “He served in Afghanistan and Cyprus and watched a friend getting killed.

“He had loved the army, but it was cut short by a motorcycle accident. But he moved on and loved his job as a delivery driver.

“He was a private person and wouldn’t really open up much to me and the last time he was home on March 3, he had finished work and was sorting the pets out.

“I was up in my room and he came and said hi, it was almost like a normal day.”

His brother and their mum Susan Manning had both received texts from Luke on March 4, telling them how much he loved them and that he was sorry.

He was found dead in the afternoon of March 5 around 3pm after his girlfriend had been looking for him.

The pair had been together for 18 months, but the relationship suffered as Luke took to drinking and taking cocaine to cope with his spiralling mental health.

He was described as "not his usual self" by Ms Davies as the pair then argued about his alcohol and drug use, prompting her to leave home for some hours.

It was after this that Luke went into his van unbeknownst to Ms Davies when she returned at 4am and went to bed.

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Luke was referred to cognitive behavioural therapist Mark Robson after an overdose on July 25 left him needing urgent care.

Luke's mum said: “He didn’t want to go, he said mum I’m fine. He sometimes told me things but mostly he wouldn’t because he said you’ll worry.

“I said no Luke, you have to go, and I took him there myself.”

Coroner Stephen Teasdale heard how Luke had been to dinner with Rhiannon the evening before his death but kept disappearing to the bathroom, with the suspicion being it was to take drugs.

The inquest heard there were no suspicious circumstances and coroner Teasdale recorded Luke's death as being suicide.

If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also find support on their website here.