AN ELDERLY man whose body was found in Hythe canal may have died before he hit the water, an inquest has decided.

The body of Peter Kitchenham, 76, of Napier Gardens, Hythe, was found in the Royal Military Canal in November where it had been for 12 days.

Coroner Rachel Redman returned an open verdict after hearing that he may have suffered a stroke.

Mr Kitchenham, a retired curator at Dover Castle, was being treated for anxiety and depression after his wife was admitted to hospital.

His daughter, Lisa Sharp, said: "The last time I spoke to him he was very upbeat because it had been a lovely sunny day and he had taken the dog to see mum at the hospital.

"Since I was little the canal has been one of our regular walks."