A SOUTHAMPTON father took his own life following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Robert Jesse Lambert was rushed to hospital on March 27 after he was found unresponsive at home.

An inquest into his death has revealed that Mr Lambert had intended to take his own life.

The 92-year-old had taken an overdose of a gas used as a sedative, the court heard.

Mr Lambert had a number of health problems including a long battle with colon cancer, ischemic heart disease, and the early stages or pneumonia.

Area Coroner Jason Pegg told the court how Mr Lambert had taken his own life to "be with his son's mother" and because he was "fed up" of battling cancer.

Mr Lambert was taken to Southampton General Hospital but a day later on March 28 he passed away.

The cause of death given was suicide by drugs overdose.

Mr Lambert's son, John, described his as an "avid reader" who loved crosswords.