A man who was found dead on Westcliff beach sadly drowned after being more than three times over the drink drive limit, a coroner's court heard.

Carl Connors, 60, from Westcliff, was discovered on the beach on November 18, deceased with injuries to his leg and head.

Initially, Carl's death was being treated at suspicious by police, but these suspicions were later dropped.

A post-mortem was carried out by Dr Swift who recorded that he died as a result of drowning.

The examination also found that Carl had been three-and-a-half times over the drink drive limit.

An inquest investigating the circumstances around Carl's death was held on Friday, February 23 at Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford.

Senior Coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray, gave the verdict of an 'open conclusion'.

This means that she did not have enough evidence to determine whether his death was the result of an accident, suicide or disease.

Mrs Beasley-Murray said: "I now have to decide on a conclusion.

"I have considered suicide, but I have to be sure that he took action to take his own life.

"I am also not going to record accident, but there just isn't enough evidence this either.

"So, I am going to record an open conclusion.

"I would like to offer my condolences to his family, particularly his brother."

Carl was a well-known local figure and hundreds of people paid tribute to a man described as a "gentle giant with a heart of pure gold."

He was recognised as a keen cyclist and known by some as Carlos.

Shortly after Carl died, his family paid a touching tribute to him.

In a statement, they wrote: “Our hearts were broken when we learnt our beloved Carl had passed away.

“He leaves behind a mum, a brother, sons, a daughter, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

"Always there with a beaming smile, a loving heart and a wicked sense of humour. He leaves a big hole in our lives.

“We know he was loved by all who knew him, that much is obvious from all of the heartfelt words of sympathy that have been passed to us.We as a family are incredibly humbled by the kindness of everyone.

“We knew Carl the son, the brother, the father, the uncle and the grandfather as a legend of his time, it is evident his friends thought the same.”

“He found the good in everyone and had a strong moral code.

"He has been described as many things, including; a gentle giant with a heart of pure gold, a reasonable chap, salt of the earth, inspirational, a beautiful soul, truly genuine, one in a million, the list goes on and on.

"We are exceptionally blessed to have had this wonderful man in our lives and will make sure his legacy lives on.”