A DORSET pensioner was found dead in a swimming pool in Cyprus on the first day of his holiday there, an inquest heard.

James Somerville, 69, died nearly three years ago but an inquest into his death has only just been opened in the coroner's court in Bournemouth.

Mr Somerville, who lived in Winterborne Stickland, near Blandford, had travelled to northern Cyprus alone and was found face down and unresponsive in the pool on June 19 2014.

He was staying at a private villa and was found by a neighbour who alerted the emergency services.

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin was told that the body of Mr Somerville, who was married to Heather, was repatriated to the UK shortly after his death.

Two post mortem examinations were carried out but no official cause of death has been recorded.

The inquest heard that Mr Somerville's death is likely to be related to a heart condition and there have been no police inquiries.

The coroner requested more information and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed. A pre-inquest review will be held in May.