A PENSIONER died after crawling into the discarded bucket of a mechanical digger, an inquest heard yesterday.

Deputy Teesside coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded an open verdict in the death of 81-year-old George Winter, who had gone into the yard of a plant hire firm in Warrenby, Redcar, and sheltered in the scoop.

The pensioner may have died of heart disease, from which he suffered, or have succumbed to exposure, sunk into a coma and died.

Mr Winter, whose family took it in turns to visit him daily, disappeared from his home last January. A search was launched, but his body was not discovered until April.

Home Office pathologist Dr James Sunter said Mr Winter would not have suffered and was found in an attitude of "natural repose.''

The inquest heard that Mr Winter had not given his family any indication of being confused and disorientated, but shortly before he disappeared, a stranger he had met and asked for directions had walked him home.

Mr Hetherington said Mr Winter's family had no cause to blame themselves.