A KENT policeman described by colleagues as an "outstanding officer" fought a struggle against depression for 21 years, it was revealed at an inquest into his death.

PC Carl Bramwell, of Maidstone and Malling Police, took his own life on April 2 after an evening out with police colleagues at which he confessed he was considering suicide.

Later that evening a concerned friend found his body. PC Bramwell hanged himself at his home in Greensands Road, Bearsted, Maidstone.

His death came six weeks after another Maidstone and Malling PC, Dean Tring, hanged himself at home. He, too, had a history of depression.

Stephen Beck, the assistant deputy coroner for Mid Kent and Medway, heard that Mr Bramwell first suffered depression in 1982.

He had taken long periods away from his work as an office-based investigator - including one whole year - while recovering from bouts of anxiety.

Det Insp Nigel Shambler, who had worked with Mr Bramwell for about two years, told the inquest: "He was one of the longest-serving, most respected and most liked officers at Maidstone. He was an outstanding officer with a fantastic record of achievement."

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Sally Carman told the inquest that Mr Bramwell seemed positive when she met him for the first time two days before his death.

She said Mr Bramwell could not remember the cause of his previous depressions. She diagnosed an acute depressive disorder.

The coroner heard that Mr Bramwell spent his last evening with police colleagues at a rugby match in Aylesford, drinking beer.

He confessed to his boss, Supt Andy Gent, that he was considering suicide. He then drove home, ignoring telephone calls from his concerned friend and colleague Stephen Rose.

After finally managing to talk to Mr Bramwell, Mr Rose decided to drive to his friend's home. When he arrived at the house he discovered the body.

A statement from Home Office pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat said that Mr Bramwell had 152mg of alchohol per 100ml of blood, almost twice the drink-drive limit of 80mg per 100ml.