AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a man in Chudleigh on Christmas Day.

Godfrey Bradford's body was found in a fire damaged caravan in Marsh Lane, Chudleigh.

Devon and Cornwall launched a major inquiry into his death at the rural property north of the town.

Police said at the time a fire had happened but was out when officers got to the scene and a man in his 80s was found dead inside.

They were treating the death as unexplained.

Today at Exeter Coroner's court, coroner Deborah Archer said Mr Bradford was a single man who was a retired farm contractor.

She said concerns were raised for his welfare and he was found unresponsive in the fire damaged caravan.

His medical cause of death has not yet been ascertained and the inquest has been adjourned to a later date.