By Hayley Robinson

A pauper's funeral is likely to be held for a Sittingbourne man unless a relative can be traced.

Harold De Cort was found dead in his flat in Canterbury Road, on Tuesday, December 7.

Police forced their way into the AmicusHorizon property just before noon after concerns for his welfare were raised.

Despite extensive efforts to trace the 66-year-old’s family nobody has come forward.

Coroner’s officer Rick Watkins-Pitchford is appealing to anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Mr De Cort’s family to contact him before he instructs Swale council next week to make arrangements for his funeral.

Rick said: "There were only three numbers on his mobile phone and when I called them there was no answer for any of them.

"If a next of kin can’t be traced the local authority will be asked to organise his funeral at the public’s expense.

"This doesn’t happen very often. Sometimes there is a relative but they don’t want to know anything about it.

"We don’t know the cause of death at the moment. An inquest has been opened and adjourned and we are currently waiting for the results of blood tests."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rick Watkins-Pitchford on 01622 604115.