AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a man who drowned while swimming off Knoll Beach, Studland.

Neil Bennet, 61, from Wareham, was swimming at Knoll Beach with his wife Jennie and some friends on Friday, November 6 when the conditions suddenly turned and became quite treacherous.

Mr Bennet was washed on to the shore and was unresponsive. Efforts were made to resuscitate him but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

During the opening of an inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall, coroner's officer Ken McEwan said while the sea had been calm, it changed quite rapidly.

The cause of death was given as drowning and the inquest was adjourned until March 11 next year.