Neil Owen, 26, who lived above the Oddfellows Pub in Bettws, Bridgend, South Wales, was eventually found by his father.

Coroner's officer Mark Adams told the inquest at the Tabernacle Church in Brackla, Bridgend: "Neil was last seen at 17.45 on Friday June 6.

"He was due to go on a trip that weekend but concerns were raised when he failed to turn up for the bus, and a search of the area was made for him."

An hour later, Mr Owen's car was found parked on an industrial estate near a wooded area. His father then discovered his son's body hanging nearby. It was later identified by his mother, Shirley Owen, in hospital.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances, Mr Adams added.

Bridgend Coroner Philip Walters adjourned the inquest for further inquiries into the death to be carried out.

Mr Owen is the 21st young person in or from the county of Bridgend thought to have taken their lives since the beginning of 2007.

He was a close friend of 19-year-old Sean Rees, also from Bettws, who was found hanging from a tree in April.

Mr Owen is believed to have been upset by the recent deaths, and wrote a message to Mr Rees on social networking site Bebo which read: "RIP Sean going to miss you so much fella you and me were like brothers it feels like there is a part of me missing now xxx".