Butcher David “Dazy” Saunders died after taking cocaine, an inquest has heard.

Father-of-three Mr Saunders, 34, was found dead at his home in Grange Road, St Michael’s, on Christmas Day.

At the inquest opening, the cause of death was given as cocaine intoxication.

The hearing was adjourned to a future date when the full details of his death will be given.

After Mr Saunders died, an appeal raised more than £12,000 for his widow Kelly, 32, and children.

The appeal was set up by Harry Purewal, landlord of The Crown pub in St Michael’s, where Mr Saunders was a regular and had been drinking on Christmas Eve.

Mr Purewal said he had been “flabbergasted” by the response to the appeal.

Hundreds of mourners gathered outside the pub to walk to St Michael’s Church for Mr Saunders’ funeral last month.

During the service, tributes were paid to him by his brother, Kevin, and his widow.

Afterwards Mrs Saunders said that the crowds had been a comfort to her.

“The number of people made it feel as if his life had been worthwhile,” she said.

“It was a comfort to me and he would have been in his element.”

Mr Saunders worked for Farm Butchers which has branches in St Michael’s and Tenterden.

He was found dead in bed at the family home at 3.30am on Christmas Day by his wife.

The couple had three children, Daisy-Mae, four, Beau, two, and Vincent, 11 months.