A MUCH-LOVED father and husband, took his own life after a brief battle with depression.

Chelmsford Coroners Court was told Kenneth Alexander, 53, of Addison Court, Epping, led a fit and active life and was known as a family man with a great sense of humour.

But in May 2009 he seemed to suffer a breakdown and was prescribed medication by his GP to combat depression.

His widow Corinne told the court she blamed the medication for her husband's unexpected decline.

She said: “The way in which Ken died seems so out of character to me, our sons and to all who knew him as Ken had such a zest for life.

“He loved the outdoors, hiking, walking diving, to name just a few hobbies.

“He was such a cheerful happy person, and always enthusiastic in everything he did.”

Mrs Alexander had been out to work, on July 2 last year, and upon returning found her husband had taken his life.

She told the court it was only after his death that she read the details on his medication and discovered they included the warning “Can cause suicidal tendencies”.

“I have now lost such a loving, caring husband in tragic circumstances and my sons have lost their wonderful, fun-loving dad, who was so supportive of them. It is so difficult for us all to comprehend Ken's death,” she said.

Mr Alexander was born in Walthamstow, East London, and moved to Maidstone in Kent when he was 14, before moving back to Leyton later in life.