The inquest into the death of a "kind-hearted and loving" man found in Stone has been opened.

The body of Luke Pullman, 38, was found four days after he was reported missing from his home in Winston Close, Greenhithe.

Previously to that, he had not been seen for about a week and his family said it was completely out of character.

They put out appeals on social media, setting up a Facebook page and putting up posters.

Police said at the time they were not treating his death as suspicious although the full circumstances are expected to be revealed at an inquest at Gravesend's Old Town Hall on March 23.

The hearing was opened and adjourned by north Kent coroner Roger Hatch.

Mr Pullman’s body was found near a farm in Cotton Lane on December 15.

On Facebook, his family wrote they were devastated by the tragic news and added: “We are so very grateful for everything that has been done to find Luke. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

His tearful mother, Christina McDermott, 59, later described Mr Pullman as "very gentle and always smiling" and spoke of how he enjoyed football and boxed at White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley.

“He was a natural. He liked most sports and enjoyed playing darts. Luke was a loving son, brother and uncle. He was just a lovely person."

The search for Mr Pullman involved house-to-house inquiries and dog searches of wasteland and alleyways. The police helicopter and marine units also assisted.

Mr Pullman's funeral was due to be held last Friday, from which donations were to be split between Mind, a mental health charity, and missingpeople.org