A MAN who was found dead in the undergrowth of a Poole beauty spot died of alcohol abuse following an ongoing battle with depression, an inquest has heard.

The body of Lyndon Yates, 51, was found on October 10 last year near the car park in Upton Country Park.

Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne ruled his death was a consequence of alcohol abuse after having 234mg of alcohol in his blood - almost three times over the driving limit.

Mr Yates, who had three children, had been reported missing by his family on September 30 - just 10 days before his body was discovered.

Bournemouth Coroner's Court heard he had struggled with alcohol addiction most of his adult life and that it was linked to depression.

Sargent Paul James, of Dorset Police, attended the scene at Upton County Park on October 10.

He told the inquest that police had been searching for Mr Yates since he was reported missing.

"When the member of public called in to say they had discovered a body it matched the description of Mr Yates.

"The body was found near a small wooden shelter surrounded by lots of alcoholic drinks containers including vodka bottles and tins of beer.

"The structure didn't look like it offered any real shelter and appeared to be in a very poor state of repair.

"His feet were tangled in his satchel which gave the impression that the deceased was stumbling and then fell to the ground."

The inquest heard that Mr Yates died of cardiorespiratory failure which was caused by excess alcohol consumption.

A statement from Alan Campion, addiction services manager at Dorset Helathcare NHS Trust, showed Mr Yates had an ongoing problem with alcohol which would see him remain sober for months at a time before relapsing and going off on very heavy drinking sessions - on some occasions these would last for days at a time.

The inquest heard that Mr Yates was adopted at six-weeks-old by Wiltshire couple Kenneth and Hilary Yates who couldn't have children of there own.

His sister Ashley Gill read a statement on behalf of the family which described him as a happy, beautiful child who won the local Mummy's Little Angel competition.

"He was a very bright boy who managed to earn himself a spot at the prestigious King Edward's School in Bath after passing the 11+ exam," said Mrs Gill.

"Unfortunately he got involved with the wrong crowd and at 16 he left school with very few qualifications which for such a bright boy was such a shame.

"He is sorely missed by all his family."

Mrs Gill told the inquest that it was round the age of 20 that Mr Yates got a taste for tobacco and alcohol and would turn to drink as a way of dealing with his depression.

Despite struggling with his alcohol addiction the inquest heard that the month before his death Mr Yates had secured himself a job as a steel worker in Southampton and was also helping his parents run their Bed & Breakfast in Poole.

If you are suffering with depression of any other mental health issue there are a number of helplines you can call:

Mind - 0300 123 3393 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)

Rethink Mental Illness - 0300 5000 927 (Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm)

Samaritans - 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Sane - 0845 767 8000 (daily, 6-11pm)

Action on Addiction - 0300 330 0659