Manure dispute farmer found dead

David Cannon was found hanged on Tuesday

A Tyneside farmer who sprayed banks with manure during a 10-year legal battle has been found dead at his home.

Police said serial muck-spreader David Cannon, 76, was apparently found hanging at his home in South Dissington after being diagnosed with cancer.

He fought the NatWest Bank for a decade in a dispute over how his accounts were handled, and sprayed a Newcastle branch several times with slurry.

He also dumped tonnes of manure outside a branch near his Northumberland home.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "The death is not being treated as suspicious and an inquest will be held in due course."

Two weeks ago he was diagnosed with cancer, and he was found dead at his cottage on Tuesday.