An inquest has opened into the death of a man found in woodland near Detling Hill.

The body of James Hindle, 33, was discovered in Scragged Oak Road, near Maidstone, on Thursday, July 9.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were at the scene from around 4pm and the road was blocked off.

A specialist search team was also called and search dogs deployed.

Mr Hindle was sadly found dead later that evening, with identification carried out by police, who later confirmed his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Coroner Scott Matthewson heard Mr Hindle was a rope access climber from Bognor Regis in west Sussex, at the inquest opening at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone this morning.

The medical cause of death has not yet been ascertained and the full inquest has been adjourned until September 23.

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