Coroners officers have been unable to find any family related to a homeless man who died this year.

Dermot Mulligan was found dead outside the RBS bank in Jubilee Square, Maidstone on July 19.

An inquest into the 56-year-old's death has opened at Archbishop's Palace.

Assistant corner Katrina Hepburn heard despite a five-month search, no next of kin could be found for Mr Mulligan.

His doctor's surgery has been informed informed of his passing.

KentOnline was made aware of Mr Mulligan's name in July.

However, in the interests of allowing his next of kin to be told through the right channels, his name was not revealed.

Ms Hepburn heard Mr Mulligan's body was discovered by two members of staff arriving for work at the now closed RBS branch.

The pair assumed he was sleeping rough and tried to wake him.

When he did not stir, they called police non-emergency number 101.

An ambulance arrived at the scene just before 8.50am and confirmed he had died.

Police and fire crews also attended the scene.

A post mortem gave the cause of death as alcohol toxicity, though a full inquest will be held in December.

Mourners left tributes outside the bank, which shut for four days following the discovery.

One friend left flowers with the message "Dance with the angels now."

"He was a proud man - he didn’t ask for help and he didn’t always want help..." - Amanda Sidwell, Making a Difference

Local homeless charities also paid tribute.

Amanda Sidwell, from homeless charity Making a Difference to Maidstone, said: "He was a proud man - he didn’t ask for help and he didn’t always want help. I don’t think he ever complained about anything.

"I think the streets had become his home after so many years and due to some of his life choices it kept him on the street,” she said.

"May he now rest in peace, in a better place than the streets."

Maidstone Winter Shelters volunteer Ronald Hales-Reed remembered how Mr Mulligan packed away his own bed at the shelter which was unusual.

"He was quiet but he was thankful in his own way," he said.

A full inquest into Mr Mulligan's death will be held on December 6.