A Dartford-born Westminster terror attacker was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest, an inquest has revealed.

An inquest today heard about the moments leading up to the death of 52-year-old Muslim convert Khalid Masood.

He went on the rampage at the iconic Palace of Westminster last Wednesday in an assault which lasted for 82 seconds.

Senior Coroner for Westminster Dr Fiona Wilcox heard that Masood was identified using DNA and fingerprints.

Four people lost their lives as a result of the attack.

PC Keith Palmer, 48, was standing guard at the palace gates when he was stabbed in the chest.

American tourist Kurt Cochran, 54, Aysha Frade, 44, and Leslie Rhodes, 75, also died as a result of Masood's actions.

He drove over Westminster Bridge, mounted the pavement and ploughed into a crowd, before smashing into the perimeter fence at the Palace of Westminster.

Opening the inquest Dr Wilcox said: "The court is here to take evidence this afternoon in relation to the opening of the inquest touching the death of Khalid Masood who was involved in the tragic incident on the 22nd of March."

The hearing was told Masood was taken by ambulance to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London after he was shot.

His time of death was recorded as 3.55pm, and his body was later taken to Westminster Public Mortuary.

The coroner expressed her sympathies to Masood's family, who she said were also "victims".