RUGBY league referee Chris Leatherbarrow took his own life, a coroner has concluded. 

The rugby league community was thrown into shock and sadness after the sudden death of the 27-year-old on November 1 last year.

Mr Leatherbarrow had started his refereeing career in the North West Counties leagues as a teenager and rose to Super League level, with highlights including taking charge of a Northern Rail Cup Final and a Championship Grand Final.

Hundreds of mourners, including many rugby league personalities, packed Lowe House Church for his funeral service.

An inquest concluded that Mr Leatherbarrow’s death was a suicide caused by hanging in his Blackbrook home.