A financial advisor drowned after falling from the M2 bridge, an inquest has heard.

The body of Gillingham resident Billy Angell was found in the River Medway.

Police helicopters were deployed on the night of Wednesday, July 31, after he was spotted on the bridge between Chatham and Strood before jumping into the water.

Marine units scoured the before recovering the 32-year-old's body on Wednesday, August 7, at the Medway Bridge Marina.

At the opening of the inquest into the financial advisor's death at Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, today, the court heard how Mr Angell had been living in Chute Close, Gillingham, with his wife Danielle.

The post-mortem examination gave his cause of death as drowning.

It was revealed he'd consumed alcohol beforehand.

The full inquest into Mr Angell's death is due to be held on Thursday, January 23.

Following the incident, MP Tracey Crouch called for more suicide prevention measures to be put in place on the bridge.

The Samaritans also visited it to help encourage people to seek help if they need to.

If you need support on an emotional issue, you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

For more information on why we cover inquests, click here