A Hampshire man left a note for his parents telling them he wanted to swim to the Isle of Wight before being found washed up there days later, an inquest heard.

A missing person hunt was launched after parents of Douglas Massie, pictured, 43, became worried after finding the letter on August 27, in which said he wanted to swim from Hengistbury Head, near Christchurch.

But Southampton Coroner’s Court heard how three days later his body was found on the shoreline between Bouldnor and Yarmouth on the Island.

Mr Massie, of Thackeray Road, Portswood, had been worried about debts of more than £1,000, but did not have a long-term history of depression, the inquest heard.

However, coroner Keith Wiseman said that in the note he spoke of feelings of being a failure, although he wrote how his mum and dad had done everything they could for him.

Mr Wiseman said: “In view of the content of the letter I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr Massie deliberately took his own life in a way he told his parents he would.”

A verdict that he killed himself was recorded.