AN INQUEST into the death of 'Bradford Jesus Man' Geoffrey Brindley was opened today to allow his body to be released for the purposes of a funeral.

Mr Brindley died on August 24 at Bradford Royal Infirmary, 11 days after being taken ill at his home on Langley Lane in Baildon. He was 88.

The inquest was adjourned by Bradford coroner Oliver Longstaff.

Details of funeral arrangements have yet to be released.

Mr Brindley's death sparked an outpouring of grief across the district, with thousands of well-wishers paying their respects.

He was so well-known that a website was set-up dedicated to listing sightings of him.

The Telegraph & Argus reported in 1960 how Mr Brindley, then 33, gave up his job as a machinist to live in a cave near Settle (pictured) in order to receive a message from God.

He spent 12 days in the cave before setting off back to Bradford wearing a habit.

Mr Brindley was also known as the Airedale Monk.