A Ross-ON-WYE pensioner who left his home because there was no cricket on the television was found later that day floating in the River Wye, an inquest in Hereford heard.

Gilbert Sydney Hawkins, of Greytree Road, was already dead when he was pulled from water near Ross Rowing Club on August 3 last year.

An engineer from Bromsgrove spotted the 72-year-old's body, which appeared to be stuck in reeds, as he was enjoying an afternoon stroll along the riverbank.

Mr Hawkins had a history of mental illness, was a patient at the Stonebow Unit in Hereford and had threatened to jump into the river on a previous occasion.

In 1998, Mr Hawkins told his wife he was going to kill himself by drowning in the River Wye.

But his wife, Violet Hawkins, said: "When he first ventured to commit suicide, he did not go as far as the river. He was in a field when the police arrived."

Consultant pathologist Dr Mark Hayes, from Hereford County Hospital, said there were no signs of injuries on Mr Hawkins' body.

Herefordshire coroner David Halpern said Mr Hawkins died from fresh water drowning and he was also found to have heart disease.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Halpern said Mr Hawkins was not thought to be 'a high suicidal risk' and he could not be certain whether the pensioner slipped, fell or got into the river on his own accord.