A father deliberately set fire to his home on the day it was due to be repossessed, an inquest heard.

John Elmore, 54, used petrol to start several blazes inside his three-bedroomed semi-detached home in Manse Way, Swanley, on March 7.

Widower Mr Elmore, who had a son and a daughter, had sent a text to his former partner of 14 years, Carol Lineham, less than an hour earlier to say he would be dead by the time she read the message.

An inquest heard police later discovered a letter giving Mr Elmore 56 days notice of the pending repossession of his home. The time limit expired on the day of the blaze.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service fire investigator Mark Duly said fires had been started in a kitchen cupboard and drawer, in the front room, and in all three upstairs bedrooms.

Mr Elmore had used various materials, including furniture, a tarpaulin sheet and cardboard, and used petrol as an accelerant. A toilet, bidet and sink had also been smashed.

Mr Elmore was found semi-conscious in the box room with burns to his head, face and hands - but died the next day.

The inquest heard Mr Elmore "struggled with day-to-day life" after his wife's death in 2006, and then lost his job as a driver in 2007.

Ms Lineham moved in with Mr Elmore, but he was said to have become "jealous and possessive" and they separated last year. She had last seen him on March 4, but on the morning of the fire he texted her to say: "Dearest Carol. No more talking. I can't face it anymore. When you get this message I will be dead. I will always love you.

"Not to have you in my life, no one to come home to or care for, it's my end. Take care, babe. John".

Nephew David Elmore had seen his uncle the previous day. He told police Mr Elmore had been feeling "very down" and had spoken about killing himself in the past.

North West Kent coroner Roger Hatch said he was "clear" Mr Elmore had deliberately set fire to his home and recorded that he had taken his own life.

Floral tributes had been left outside the house at the time of the fire.

One read: "To my dearest Dad. Still can’t believe you're gone. RIP now God bless you Dad. Love you always Claire xxxx xxx."

Another was addressed to "Uncle John", and a neighbour described Mr Elmore as a man "who always said hello".