A retired factory worker whose body was pulled from a drainage ditch drowned after drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, an inquest has heard.

Kevin Donger died in October at Bawsey Drain in King's Lynn, a ditch used to help prevent flooding in the town.

An inquest opened into his death on Thursday.

It heard that Mr Donger's body was discovered at the site on Turbus Road in North Lynn on Tuesday, October 3.

Emergency services were called at 10.36am and recovered his body from the water, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police, paramedics and fire crews all went to the scene after Mr Donger was discovered.

Police confirmed at the time that his death was not suspicious.

The short hearing at Norfolk Coroner's Court was told that the 72-year-old's medical cause of death was drowning following excessive alcohol consumption. 

Senior coroner Jacqueline Lake confirmed that Mr Donger was a retired factory worker and lived in St Edmundsbury Road in King's Lynn.

Mrs Lake adjourned the hearing until Monday, June 24 next year.