An inquest has opened into the death of a policeman at his home.

Christopher Hughes, 49, was found dead in an upstairs room by his wife Amanda, a hearing was told on Friday.

The couple had been watching a film on the evening of Tuesday, January 26, at their home in Halden Close, High Halden, near Ashford.

Mr Hughes went upstairs and did not return after about 35 minutes so Mrs Hughes went to look for him.

Emergency services were called and members of Kent Fire and Rescue Service administered CPR until paramedics arrived.

A post mortem examination confirmed cause of death as suspension.

The inquest heard that Mr Hughes was born in November 1971 in Liverpool.

Colleagues earlier this week had paid tribute to Mr Hughes, a sergeant who had been with Kent Police for 24 years.

He had been in the force's east division, covering areas including Ashford.

Kent Police Federation announced the tragedy on Facebook on January 27 and within six days there were 173 comments honouring Mr Hughes.

Area coroner Katrina Hepburn, at County Hall in Maidstone, adjourned the inquest until May 4.

It is due to reopen at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone.

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