A FORMER Redditch teacher who feared he was a "professional failure" jumped 40 feet to his death from the top storey of CrownGate Shopping Centre car park in Worcester, an inquest heard.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round returned a verdict of suicide at last Wednesday's inquest into Ian Campbell's death.

The body of Mr Campbell, a teacher at Kingsley College from 1993 to 1997, was found at the foot of the car park on Monday, January 10, at 7.40am.

CCTV captured the 37-year-old teacher driving into the car park but no-one saw him jump. No note was found.

The court heard how Mr Campbell, of Worcester, felt he had not been performing well in his role as deputy head at Hagley Roman Catholic High School.

He had told his wife Virginia that he felt unsuited for the role of headmaster, a post he expected to get upon the retirement of current headmaster.

But Mr Round said that colleagues had reported how Mr Campbell was a popular, hardworking and successful member of staff.

DC Gareth Thomas, who conducted the investigation, said: "We can offer no explanation as to why Ian should take his own life."

Mr Round said: "I am forced to the conclusion that he intended this to happen, although this does not help the family much."

"Conscientious people who set themselves high standards often keep to themselves the feelings which take them to this level. He must have been pushing and pushing himself but no one else knew."

Mr Campbell's father, Kenneth, who attended the hearing, said he was satisfied with the verdict and investigation.