A popular tattooist found dead near a play area intended to take his own life.

Jonathan Lee Reynolds, 48, was found dead at Buckley Common on Liverpool Road on October 14.

An inquest in Mold into Mr Reynolds' death was told a note was found in his hooded top.

Reference was also made to a will pinned to a noticeboard in his tattoo parlour.

With this in mind, John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, said he was certain Mr Reynolds, of Brunswick Road, Buckley, had intended to end his life.

A statement from Mr Reynolds’ mother, Pamela, said at 24 her son said he “didn’t want to see 25”.

He took an overdose but he got stronger with support and started his tattoo business - Vivid Tattoo Arts – and became well known in the area.

Mrs Reynolds said she remained worried about her son’s state of mind and he had struggled following the break-up of a long-term relationship.

In 2015 Mr Reynolds “virtually gave up his business” when he moved to Llay and attended a drinking awareness course the year later.

On October 13 Mrs Reynolds rang her son asking if he wanted to go round for tea but there was no answer.

The next day police informed her of “what happened to our beloved son”.

She added: “Our world changed forever.”

A dog walker found Mr Reynolds’ body at about 8am on October 14, having initially thought it was a dummy.

The will found in Mr Reynolds’ shop had been signed and dated the day before his body was found.

A post-mortem examination found ligature marks on Mr Reynolds’ body while levels of alcohol in his body were said to be more than three times the legal drink drive limit.

A cause of death was recorded as hanging.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Gittins said Mr Reynolds had made an indication of his actions by leaving a note and had acted in the way that he did in a location where he was unlikely to be found immediately.