A "DEVOTED" father was found washed up on the shore in Southampton, an inquest heard.

Peter Ian Charles Buckingham was found by builders at the water's edge on the foreshore at the northern end of Southampton Water, in Woolston, on March 9.

The cause of the 51-year-old's death was determined as traumatic chest injury consistent with a fall, the inquest heard.

It was said that Mr Buckingham, of Gainsborough Hill, Henley on Thames, had checked in at Highfield House Hotel in Southampton on March 6.

He had been arrested by Thames Valley Police for a serious offence on March 3 and was later released under investigation.

His wife Ann Buckingham said she had picked him up from the police station and suggested for him to stay at his father's home.

It was the last time she saw him before she went to pick up their daughter from school.

She said: "It is an absolute shock. He was very steady and a happy individual, a devoted father and a devoted husband."

It was heard that Peter stayed at his father's home until March 6, before travelling to Southampton.

On March 9, workmen were at the nearby Crest Nicholson building site when one of them spotted a body and called the police.

The body, which was 500 metres downstream from the Itchen Bridge, was identified as Mr Buckingham by PC Michael Mulvey through photo identification.

Coroner Jason Pegg said it is unclear as to why he made his way to Southampton as there is no obvious connection to the area.