A man found dead on Dartford Heath has been named.

The body of Andrew Timothy Ebanks was discovered by a passer-by on September 24.

An inquest into the 40-year-old's death was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Mr Ebanks lived in Nunhead in Southwark, London.

The cause of his death has not yet been ascertained and the inquest will resume next month.

Officers were called to the heath, between Heathclose Road and Heather Drive, at about 12.20pm following the discovery of Mr Ebanks' body.

Officers cordoned off an area around the heath, at the Shepherds Lane entrance, where his body was found.

Sealing off a large stretch of the woods, forensic officers in white overalls were seen entering the area where the discovery had been made.

Neighbours opposite said they did not know what was going on when police cars and officers arrived.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "It's terrible really isn't it?

"Poor man. I saw them all turn up but didn't have a clue what was going on."

The body was removed from the site on a trolley by private ambulance at around 3.30pm.

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