A RETIRED police officer who had been prescribed anti-depressants for mood swings, died after he was found in the sea at Scarborough.

But North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley said it was a mystery why he was found floating in the water near the Sea Life Centre, on the North Side, early in the morning on May 8.

He was spotted by Gary Smith, a staff member at the centre, who said in a statement: "I realised it was not safe to go into the sea."

He alerted a friend, who found a lifebelt, but it had no rope attached.

Cindy Haigh, a carer at a home for elderly people where Mr Hickman, of Woodlands Grove, Scarborough, was staying, said he left to go home to collect his post and his toiletries.

Mr Hickman's sister, Joy Crawshaw, said he was a keen walker and that he had been planning to move to the home permanently.

Recording an open verdict, Mr Oakley said Mr Hickman may have accidentally fallen into the sea