THE pressures of hill farming led to an Exmoor farmer taking his own life, Somerset area coroner Vanessa McKinlay heard.

Ms McKinlay conducted inquest proceedings in Taunton into the death of Robin Elston, aged 45, who farmed near Dulverton.

She heard Mr Elston shot himself in a field on his farm three days after Christmas, having telephoned his family and left a handwritten note making clear his intentions.

Mr Elston’s family had earlier become concerned about his mental health and he visited his GP shortly before Christmas and talked about his low mood and physical symptoms he was experiencing.

However, he had told his doctor he did not have any plans to harm himself.

Ms McKinlay concluded Mr Elston had taken his own life.