Thieves stole a man's bike after he fell off and suffered fatal injuries while riding down a steep hill, an inquest heard.

Paul Glaysher was on his way to find out the time of services at the Salvation Army citadel when the accident happened in New England Road, Brighton, early one Sunday in July.

A woman walking up the hill at 5.45am saw him suddenly somersault over the handlebars of his mountain bike and crash to the ground.

Mr Glaysher, 42, of Old Shoreham Road, who was married, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and later transferred to the Hurstwood Park neurological centre at Haywards Heath.

He had suffered major head injuries in the accident and died three days later.

Pathologist Dr Neera Patel told the hearing it was possible there would have been a different outcome if Mr Glaysher had been wearing a cycle helmet.

After the accident Mr Glaysher's bike was moved to the side of the road by a passer-by but could not be found later. Police believe it was stolen.

Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley told the hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday no one knew why Mr Glaysher fell from his bike.

She reminded the hearing of an effective campaign run by The Argus more than ten years ago to encourage cyclists to wear helmets.

She recorded a verdict of accidental death.