THE parents of a Swanage firefighter are still searching for answers 18 months after he took his own life.

David and Margaret Norman have met with senior council officials in a bid to find out more about allegations made against their son, Matthew.

Matthew, 45, of Days Road was found hanged in October 2015 just days after two primary aged children apparently accused him of physical assault.

Inquiries into the allegations were at an early stage and went no further following his death.

It has since been confirmed that the allegations were not of a sexual nature.

Matthew, a father-of-three, had been told allegations had been made but had not been interviewed by police or social services and had not been arrested.

He was not aware of the nature of the allegations.

Just before he died, he sent text messages to his former wife, Sue, which said: “I feel so upset and helpless. I don’t know what to do with myself. I would not hurt any child - you know that.”

His parents said they are determined to clear his name and to let people know that accusations against their son were never upheld.

“We have been getting all sorts of abuse since Matthew’s death from people who are jumping to conclusions,” said Mr Norman.

“I am trying to get over a nervous breakdown and this has made my wife and our daughter ill.”

Mr and Mrs Norman recently met with Dorset County Council Chief Executive Debbie Ward and Director for Children’s Services Sara Tough to voice their concerns. They were told the council cannot go into details because to do so would be a breach of confidentiality.

Debbie Ward told the family in a letter: “A number of staff have spoken with you, understand your wish for answers but cannot provide them. It is clear that the lack of answers for you is rooted in the investigation into the allegations made about your son, which had to be concluded before the point where answers could be identified.”

A council spokesperson said individual cases cannot be discussed.