An inquest has opened into the death of a 29-year-old man who was missing for two days.

George Passmore was last seen walking in the Coldharbour Road area of Gravesend on the morning of December 29, prompting a police appeal.

Following a search, police officers confirmed his body had been found near Wrotham Road, in Istead Rise, on New Year’s Eve (December 31).

Area coroner Bina Patel opened an inquest into his death at Oakwood House, in Maidstone, today (January 14).

The court heard George, who lived in King’s Drive, Gravesend, said he would use his mother’s bank card to buy a sim card for his phone and took £40 out of her account.

He was then seen in a shop in the town centre.

Police released a CCTV image of George as officers appealed for help to track him down.

The hearing was told George, who was single and unemployed, was later found by a member of the public.

At the time, residents living nearby reported seeing several police cars and ambulances in the area and said crews were searching in nearby fields.

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His cause of death was given as asphyxia and a full inquest was adjourned until May 28.