The inquest into the death of former Wales football manager Gary Speed has heard how his wife discovered his body.

Detective Inspector Peter Lawless, of Cheshire Police, told the inquest on Tuesday that Louise Speed found her husband 7am on Sunday morning.

"The information was that he had been found by his wife and the ambulance service gave advice on what to do," he said.

The 42-year-old former professional footballer was found hanged in the garage of Cheshire home.

News of his death, which is not believed to be suspicious, shocked the sporting world with tributes flooding in from former team mates and friends.

Following news of Speed's death, Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford said it would take years to come to terms with the loss of their friend.

"It is surreal. I am so emotionally cut up. We can't fathom it, we can't understand it and I think we will be guessing for many years to come. We are all devastated. At the FAW office, we huddled and cried together today," he said.

There has been speculation that Speed was suffering from depression. But his best man, Hayden Evans, said that was not the case.

"Louise is saying that's not the case. She just doesn't understand it. They were happily married and anyone who knows them will tell you that. This is why it's a mystery," he told the Sun newspaper.

Asked if Speed had experienced bouts of depression he said: "None whatsoever. The one thing the family and me as one of his closest friends would totally refute is that. There was no indication of problems and never has been."

The inquest has been adjourned until 30 January next year.