A CHANDLER'S Ford walker sent a text message to a friend, with a map grid reference of the spot where he was about to commit suicide, before jumping off a cliff, an inquest has heard.

Vincent Bolger, of Hursley Road, sent his friend Andrew Westbrook the text message, which read '799804. Good luck'.

The 46-year-old then jumped off a 300ft cliff at Swyre Head, near the Durdle Door beauty spot in Dorset, pictured above.

Mr Westbrook put the numbers into the Ordnance Survey website and came up with a place in the middle of the ocean.

However, when he reversed them to read '804799' he found they referred to the very top of Swyre, one of the highest cliffs on the south coast.

Mr Bolger had spoken about committing suicide in the past and Mr Westbrook realised the significance of the message and called the emergency services.

Mr Bolger's body was found by coastguards the next day, on February 4 this year, on a nearby beach.

Mr Westbrook told the inquest: "Knowing Vincent knew his maps the impression I got was that it was a candid message.

"I went on to the Internet and put the numbers in to the Ordnance Survey website but it was a place 400 yards out to sea.

"I knew he couldn't swim so I reversed them and it was the very top of a cliff. I now know that is the location above where he was found."

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Bolger, who ran his own lawn maintenance company, died from multiple injuries as a result of the fall.

The inquest heard that Mr Bolger had been suffering from depression and that his business was struggling financially.

Mr Sheriff Payne, Coroner for Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset, recorded a verdict of suicide.

Speaking after the inquest in Bournemouth, Mr Bolger's father Alan said: "He was a keen outdoorsman and loved to work outside.

"He loved his job, he loved nature and loved to be in the countryside. We shall miss him very much."