THE family of a gardener who shot himself have said he will never be forgotten.

They spoke after an inquest ruled that Clive Ronald Elliott, 39, who was found dead at his home near Bridport, took his own life.

Mr Elliott was found lying on the kitchen floor of his Loders home with a shotgun wound to his head on September 15.

An inquest into his death at County Hall in Dorchester was told that the day before his death Mr Elliott’s partner refused his request to move in with her and he had sent text messages to her talking about moving away.

After the hearing Mr Elliott’s family said their loved one would ‘never be forgotten’.

Louise Willcox told the inquest she had known Mr Elliott for around six years and they had been in a relationship for around three months.

She said Mr Elliott had asked to move in with her but on September 14 she told him he couldn’t because it was too soon.

Miss Willcox added: “He told me to forget it, it was over.

“He just said ‘you have left me homeless’.”

Miss Willcox said Mr Elliott later texted her saying he was moving away and asking her to make arrangements for his dog, Pippa.

She added: “He said I can’t take her where I’m going.”

Miss Willcox said she had more text messages of a similar nature but was under the impression he was just planning to leave the area.

The next morning she went to pick up his dog and found his car was still at home.

She said she went in and discovered the body.

PC Paul Metcalf, who was called to the scene, described seeing Mr Elliott’s body on the kitchen floor with a shotgun by his side.

He told the inquest: “There were blood splatters on the ceiling and in the walls and a pool of blood on the floor.”

PC Metcalf said he was made aware of the text messages and was satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Elliott’s death.

Deputy Coroner for West Dorset Alan Horne said: “I am satisfied having read and seen the contents of the texts that Mr Elliott did intend the consequences that day.

“With hindsight, the text messages gave an indication as to his state of mind at the time.”

Mr Horne recorded a verdict of suicide.

* After the inquest Mr Elliott’s stepmother Patricia said: “It was good to know there was no drink or drugs involved.

“We are now just hoping to move on.”

Mrs Elliott also wanted to thank all those people who turned out at her stepson’s memorial service at Loders Church.

She said: “The remembrance service was absolutely fantastic – it was absolutely full.

“It showed he was loved and we would like to thank everyone who turned out.

“He will never be forgotten.”