A teacher died after cycling down a steep hill and running into a man walking his dog, an inquest heard.

Andrew Faulding was riding down Coldean Lane, Brighton, on a clear summer's morning when he ran into Graham Durrant.

The 32-year-old teacher, of Walpole Terrace, Brighton, was thrown into the air on impact and landed several metres down the road.

Despite wearing a protective helmet, Mr Faulding suffered severe head injuries.

The inquest, held at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday, heard he was unconscious when he arrived at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, at about 10.30am on August 16.

His condition deteriorated and he died the next day.

PC Mark Forshew, of Hastings police, told the hearing he was driving north along Coldean Lane when he saw Mr Durrant emerge from woods beside the road carrying his white West Highland terrier under his arm.

He said: "I was concerned because the pedestrian didn't seem to look where he was going.

"I felt something was going to happen because he walked out at such a quick pace.

"The cyclist tried to swerve into the middle of the road but it was too late."

Michael Hooper was driving in the same direction with his wife and saw the incident in his rear-view mirror.

He said: "As we drove up the road, I saw this chap step out from the woods. We carried on driving and saw the cyclist coming towards us.

"I remember having the feeling of impending doom. Then I saw them collide. It was like they exploded."

Mr Durrant suffered a broken nose and fractured sternum.

He was knocked unconscious in the collision.

He told the hearing he remembered pausing and looking in both directions before trying to cross the road.

Mr Durrant said: "I looked up and saw a car turning right and then looked down before I stepped out.

"That's the last thing I remember before being woken up by the ambulance chaps."

Sergeant Marc Clothier, of Brighton and Hove road traffic department, said a full investigation into the accident had concluded that no one should face prosecution.

He told the hearing: "Both parties were unable to avoid the collision.

"Although Mr Faulding took evasive action, he did not have the time or the distance to do anything."

Mr Faulding had been teaching at a school in Hove for two years.

He had been due to move next month to a school in St Albans, where he had been appointed head of economics.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Dr Matthew Orde said "I am drawn by the evidence to conclude this was simply a very sad accident.

"I offer my sincere condolences to all Mr Faulding's family and friends."