An inquest has been opened into the death of a man who is believed to have walked into the sea at a west Dorset beauty spot.

Mark Richard Purdy, 63, was reported missing in February, this year, hours after leaving his Brighton home.

He told his family he was going for a walk, but later that same day texted his brother to say he was about to walk into the sea at West Bay.

Despite a widescale search operation, which included the police, coastguard and the RNLI, his body was never recovered.

Yesterday, at an inquest presided over by assistant Dorset coroner Richard Middleton, the brief circumstances surrounding Mr Purdy's disappearance were heard.

Coroner's officer Ken McEwan told the Bournemouth hearing that Nottingham-born Mr Purdy had been working as a police staff trainer for Sussex Constabulary.

Mr McEwan continued: "Mark Purdy was in the process of being medically retired and was described as being mentally unwell.

"He lived with his long-term partner in Sussex and on the 23rd of February he left home saying he was going for a walk.

"He left his car at home and was reported missing by his family that day.

"At 7.50pm that same day his brother received a text message saying he was at West Bay, Dorset, and was going to walk into the sea.

"Dorset Police were immediately alerted and a search of West Bay commenced that evening."

Mr Purdy had been spotted in a local pub between 6-7pm, and shortly after midnight his mobile phone, glasses, wallet and jumper were located outside the Watch House Cafe, West Bay, the court heard.

Mr McEwan said: "Flood defence CCTV showed a figure walking into the water at East Beach, West Bay, and the figure did not come out of the water."

His body has never been recovered.

The inquest was adjourned until July next year.