The mum of a young man who took his own life paid tribute to the much-loved roofer during an inquest.

David Booker, 29, was found at his Aylesford home on the afternoon of February 18, leaving a note telling his mum: "This is no one's fault, I tried to get on with life and I am not up to the task."

An inquest held into Mr Booker's death earlier this month heard the roofer was not known to the alcohol or mental health services.

Coroner Bina Patel said that the investigating officer's "working hypothesis" was that Mr Booker had been "battling with depression and other related money issues alongside Covid restrictions".

Mum Debbie Fillis said Mr Booker was a happy child and called the "golden boy" by his siblings because he could do no wrong in her eyes.

She added: "He was well liked at school. David loved travelling and at 19 he took off to live in Australia and after two years decided to return home but still visited various locations.

"He was a fun-loving chap who enjoyed his friends to the extreme."

Ms Fillis became concerned on February 18, when Mr Booker contacted her, saying he loved her, and "didn't seem right".

She was in Norfolk at the time but asked a friend to visit Mr Booker's Lower Bell Lane home.

Arriving at 3.30pm, Joshua Wilson and another friend tried to use a ladder and kick down the door to get in.

After calling on a locksmith to drill out the lock, they found Mr Booker. The emergency services were called.

In a statement given on the day, Mr Wilson said he was Mr Booker's best friend and had known him for six or seven years.

On February 17, Mr Wilson spoke to his friend on the phone, who said he was in a "funny mood" and then ended the call.

'He was a fun loving chap who enjoyed his friends to the extreme...'

"I tried ringing him a couple of times last night, but I wasn't concerned about him," he added.

However he became "very concerned" the next day, as it was unusual for Mr Booker not to respond to phone calls, even if he was busy.

He went on: "Dave never said to me that he wanted to kill himself, but we have spoken in the past about things being tough but I never thought he would do something like this.

"He even told me he would call me if he ever felt like that."

A fundraiser set up in Mr Booker's memory more than doubled its £5,000 target.

The page, which has seen more than £10,000 donated, was set up to support Mr Booker's family and give him the "send-off he truly deserves".

Ms Patel, sitting at County Hall in Maidstone, ruled a verdict of suicide.

The medical cause of death was given as suspension.

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