An inquest into the death of a man found hanging from a Maidstone footbridge has been opened.

Nicholas Baker was discovered on Sunday, December 8, on the railway bridge in Fairmeadow.

The 45-year-old from Sutton Court, Marden, is understood to have lived alone in a one-bedroom flat.

A neighbour said: "It's horrible news. He was such a nice man, he lived here for quite a few years, but I didn't get to know him that well. He would always say hi in the street and never seemed trouble.

"If I knew about his problems I would have invited him in for a cup of tea or done something to help but we weren't on those kind of terms."

A distressed passer-by called emergency services at around 5.40pm, but Mr Baker was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics nearly an hour later.

A post-mortem examination at Medway Maritime Hospital revealed the cause of death was suspension and Mr Baker's body was identified by a nephew.

The full inquest will be heard on Wednesday, March 12.