TIDWORTH residents have expressed their sadness after learning that a soldier was found dead at Bulford Barracks.

Nathan Worner, 21, from the Fifth Rifles was confirmed dead by paramedics on Salisbury Plain.

There have been three other hangings since October 2018, eight miles away at Swinton Barracks in Perham Down.

Resident, Margaret Moran, wrote on Spotted in Tidworth's Facebook page: "This is terrible."

Sue Danel commented: "Awful for everyone involved especially his family."

And Lesley Hart said: "So so sad, what a sad waste of life."

An inquest at Salisbury heard that Nathan was confirmed dead on May 5, 2020, at Ward Barracks after a colleague went to check on him.

The cause of death was given as hanging and toxicology tests were ordered.

His gran, Brenda Herbert, said: "The pain is unbearable."

The mental health crisis comes just weeks after the Ministry of Defence shut down a phone hotline for veterans and told them to ring the Samaritans instead.

The MoD has also stopped taking compensation claims from troops and veterans suffering from mental health conditions and physical injuries.

Wiltshire Police said: "There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death."

The Ministry of Defence said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time."

Calls for help from mentally traumatised military veterans have soared by 100 per cent since the start of the lockdown.

Support groups have been inundated with calls from suicidal veterans and current troops struggling to cope with isolation caused by the pandemic.

Others have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.