AN inquest has been opened into the death of a 53-year-old man who was found dead in Darlington town centre after a night sleeping rough.

Terry Robson, also known as Terry McGann, was found by a shopper behind Wilkinson's store, in East Street, on January 31.

Although his wife Faye Robson and family live in the town's Hercules Street, Mr Robson, an alcoholic, had been sleeping in the open.

The body of his younger brother, Gerald, who was also an alcoholic, was found in the same place beneath the NPC car park in 1993.

At an opening inquest into Mr Robson's death at Darlington police station, his wife Faye Hamilton-Robson, confirmed that she had identified his body on Saturday, February 1 at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Mr Robson by Dr James Sunter, a consultant pathologist and specimens were taken for further analysis.

South Durham and Darlington coroner Colin Penna said police had concluded their investigations into his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

The inquest was adjourned.