The family of a missing man found dead in a beck wept with relief as an inquest dismissed the notion he killed himself.

Four members of John Durkin’s family took turns in the witness box yesterday, insisting the 65-year-old, despite unfounded financial worries, would never had ended his own life.

The retired weaver’s body was spotted in shallow water near East Morton last New Year’s Eve.

The discovery came four days after he had left his home in Ilkley Road, Riddlesden, to buy budgie seed.

A massive search, involving more than 100 police officers, was triggered when he failed to return.

Police were about to search waterways in canoes and a police search helicopter was ready to scour Ilkley Moor when a man out for a walk discovered the body in Bradup Beck.

The inquest heard how Mr Durkin had been concerned that a pension claim he made after being made redundant may have been too high and that he feared bringing shame on his family if a case was proven against him and it became public knowledge.

But his wife Patricia said she had told him his family would “stick it out together”.

The day he disappeared, he had already been out walking twice and had returned home soaked after saying he had fallen in the canal.

He had also spoken to one of his daughters on the phone while he was out again, telling her he felt unwell, dizzy and light-headed. That was the last he was heard of.

Two daughters, his wife and his brother all told Acting Bradford Coroner Professor Paul Marks that Mr Durkin would not take his own life.

Mrs Durkin said: “John was such a loving father. He absolutely adored his family. We would all find it hard to think John would take his life. He would not do that.”

Tony Durkin said the day his brother, a steady walker, went missing the weather was bad with fog so thick “you couldn’t see your hand in front of you”.

Recording an open verdict, Professor Marks said he accepted Mr Durkin died from a head injury and he found as fact that although there was evidence of severe coronary artery disease there was no evidence of a coronary event that resulted in the fall.

He said: “He had glaucoma and probably did not take his drops that day. He had complained of dizziness, concerns over a pension matter were causing him stress but I can find no evidence of suicidal idealisation, I therefore dismiss that notion.

“There was bad weather that day, a slippery slope and ice but the reason for that fall will never be known. The only logical verdict is an open verdict,” he said.

After the inquest Mrs Durkin’s widow said: “We knew in our hearts he would never take his own life. It’s just the most tragic loss.”