A PUB worker whose body was found in park undergrowth died of natural causes, an inquest was told yesterday.

George Henry Wait, 55, of Brynwern, Pontypool, was missing for 14 days before being found dead in Pontypool Park, coroner's court heard.

Mr Wait, who worked at the Forgehammer pub where his wife Susan was the landlady, suffered from depression and had a drinking problem, the inquest heard, but deputy coroner Wendy James said alcohol did not directly cause his death.

She said Mr Wait, who suffered from coronary heart disease, died when his heart began beating out of control.

She said: "His alcohol intake was not directly responsible. He had a cardiac episode, collapsed and died."

Mrs Wait's son Gareth described his father as "unstable" due to his depression and prone to being "dramatic".

Mr Wait would not seek help for his drink problem and had made threats to kill himself.

"He had taken paracetamol and it hadn't worked. "He told people it was for attention."

The last time Mr Wait's son saw his father was in the Forgehammer pub. "He was nonsensical, distressed and upset," he said. "He left to go for a walk, we were worried for him."

The day after he went missing, Mr Wait, who served with the Royal Regiment of Wales for three years, made a phone call to his son but wouldn't say where he was.

"I told him to come home and have a bath and something to eat," Mr Wait's son said.

On December 23 a member of the public was walking their dog when they saw his body face down in the undergrowth in an area of the park known as The Grotto, which he particularly liked visiting. In his wallet were photos of himself and his wife.

We reported last year how police launched a search on December 10 when Mr Wait, who had also worked at the Hanbury Arms and Pilkingtons, went missing.

They combed hillsides, the British, near Abersychan, and Pontypool Park, checking possible hideouts.

The force helicopter was also involved in the search. Verdict: death by natural causes.