An inquest has opened into the death of a man who hanged himself in the grounds of a monastery.

David Durber died on March 11 in the car park at Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, near Midhurst.

At the opening of his inquest, at Edes House in Chichester, the court heard that a monk saw the 53-year-old “on top of his van" some time before his death.

Read more: Boy, 5, and girl, 10, hit by car

Mr Durber, of Victory House, Portsmouth, was later found and a provisional cause of death was given as hanging.

The court heard police were satisfied there was no third-party involvement.

The inquest, opened by assistant coroner Alicia Keen, was adjourned to a provisional date of July 8, for a full inquest hearing.

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.