A convicted murderer who was found hanging in his cell had received "counselling" from serial killer Harold Shipman, an inquest has heard.

Peter Hall, 35, who killed his partner and her two children had shared a cell with the former GP, two months before taking his own life.

An inquest in Wakefield heard that Shipman had given Hall "friendly advice" on how to overcome his remorse.

This week Shipman, who was convicted of killing 15 patients last year, was quizzed over a further nine suspicious deaths which happened during his time as a GP in Todmorden.

Hall, 35, was given three life sentences after he admitted he had stabbed, bludgeoned and then strangled his girlfriend, Celeste Bates, from Bolton, Greater Manchester.

He then killed her sons Daniel, aged eight, and Milo, 17 months.

Cell mates

Hall met Shipman while the former GP was on remand in Strangeways Prison, Manchester.

But two months after the father-of-two was transferred to Wakefield in October 1999 he was found hanging from the bars of his single cell.

John Hall told Monday's inquest that his brother had been "full of remorse" after being convicted at Manchester Crown Court in March 1999 of the three murders.

After several suicide attempts his brother pleaded with medical staff to get him psychiatric help.

In December 1999 Hall was found dead.

Letters to his parents and children were found next to his body.

The engineer told them he had not taken the "coward's way out" but that he had just wanted to put an "end to the problems I have caused".

Staff also found letter from Shipman to Hall.

Coroner David Hinchliffe recorded a verdict of suicide.