Friends in river 'took own lives'

The two men were reported missing on New Year's Eve

Two friends whose bodies were found in a river in Herefordshire took their own lives, a deputy coroner has ruled.

The bodies of Andrew Smith, 40, and Paul Smith, 43, who were not related, were discovered in the River Lugg in Leominster on 3 January.

Both men had talked about taking their own lives, the Hereford inquest heard.

The night before they were reported missing Andrew had paid for drinks at a pub on his credit card, saying he "wouldn't be around to pay it".

The two men were reported missing on New Year's Eve.

The river was searched after clothes and other items were found on the riverside.