An inquest has opened into the death of a man from Wickham Market who died during Storm Babet.

The inquest into the death of Calvin Baxter was opened on Friday, February 16, by Senior Coroner for Suffolk Nigel Parsley.

Mr Baxter died at the age of 78 on Sunday, October 22, last year.

The effects of Storm Babet were felt all over the UK from October 18 to October 21, with Suffolk suffering severe flooding all over the county.

Suffolk Coroners' Court in Ipswich heard that Mr Baxter would normally have a phone call with his sister every evening at 9pm, but that the last contact they had was on the Wednesday (October 18) before his death.

Mr Baxter had spent time that week assisting his cousins, who also lived in Wickham Market.

The court heard that on Friday, October 20, he had decided to leave his car at their house and walk home, as the weather was “atrocious” with heavy rain and flooding and he did not wish to drive.

A neighbour had seen Mr Baxter later that morning, and reported that he had been wading through floods.

This was the last time that Mr Baxter was seen alive, and a police search was launched over the coming days.

Mr Baxter’s body was later discovered in a field off Dallinghoo Road.

The court heard that he is believed to have drowned.

An inquest into Mr Baxter’s death was opened and adjourned for further work to be carried out.

The inquest is expected to take place on April 29.