The body of a pensioner pulled from the sea had multiple injuries, an inquest opening has heard.

Charles Banyard, 81, was found dead on July 3 at St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover.

Coroner Katrina Hepburn told at the opening at County Hall, Maidstone, today how a dog-walker had made the grim discovery.

He had been reported missing by his partner the evening before he was discovered and his car was found parked at the top of a nearby cliff.

Emergency services were scrambled to the area at about 8am - but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner said a post-mortem had found the cause of death to be multiple injuries.

A provisional date for the inquest has been set for October 14 at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone at 3pm.

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