A butcher was found dead in a ditch just two days after being sacked from his job at Oxford's Covered Market.

David Pieri, 58, of Marston Road, Oxford, may have been trying to fetch his dog from across a stream at Marston recreation ground, when he slipped and fell, drowning in 18 inches of water.

His body was found on November 12 last year.

An inquest into Mr Pieri's death was told yesterday, that, despite being sacked from Feller's butchers after 13 years' service he was not depressed but angry.

His son, Stephen Pieri, said he had visited his father at home that day. He said: "He was talking about moving away to Cornwall. He was looking forward to the future."

Consultant pathologist Dr David Davies said there were no signs that Mr Pieri had suffered a heart attack or anything that would cause him to fall.

Recording a verdict of death by drowning, coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: "I have heard nothing to suggest he had any intention of taking his own life."

Mr Gardiner said it was most likely that Mr Pieri had tried to get his dog out of the water and either slipped or fainted.