AN inquest has opened into the death of a Lymington man who was found dead at his home.

John Edward Stone, 79, of Grove Road, died at his home address on September 8, a court heard.

An inquest into his death was opened by area coroner Nicholas Walker on Friday, December 6.

Mr Walker said that Mr Stone was found by his wife Jo after he told her he was going for a walk.

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Mrs Stone became concerned after being unable to get in touch with her husband, eventually going looking for him.

Thinking that he might be working on their car, she went to their garage where she found him. An ambulance was called but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary cause of death has been given as hanging.

Mr Walker adjourned the inquest to take place in full at Winchester Coroners' Court next year.