AN inquest into the death of a charity stalwart and keen cyclist found he acted out of character on the day he went missing.

James Hall, aged 82, disappeared from his home in Blackburn Road, Egerton, on Sunday, January 31.

His body was later found at the foot of Cox Green Quarry in Egerton following an extensive search by police and the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court yesterday heard how the retired engineer left behind his wedding ring, wallet, watch and gold sovereign, which he wore on a chain, on the day of his disappearance.

An undated note was also found in Mr Hall's locked car which was found parked in Cox Green Road adjacent to the quarry.

In it he thanked his "darling" wife Sandra for everything and apologised for "troubles" he had caused her.

Another undated note written by Mr Hall was also found by his family with a similar message.

Speaking at the inquest, his son Marcus Hall said the family had reason to be concerned about Mr Hall until he did not return home for lunch at the usual time and his wedding ring, which he never removed, was discovered in his office at home.

He added: "My father was a very active man and, with being active, was out quite a lot.

"My mum Sandra said bring back a bottle of milk when you come back later, and he said no problem."

Mr Hall told his wife that he was going to the Advanced Motoring course in Bolton but never arrived and his mobile was turned off.

Police were contacted on a Sunday evening and later found his car near the quarry, also known as Egerton Quarry.

Twenty members of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team were called in to help with a search of the area and his body was discovered at the foot of the quarry, in an area known for a history of accidents and deliberate deaths, and was pronounced dead at the scene just before midnight.

The search team recorded windy and wet weather conditions on the night of the search.

A post-mortem examination found no drugs or alcohol in his system and concluded that he died from multiple injuries as a result of the fall.

Mr Hall's GP also reported no history of depression or anxiety.

Coroner Simon Jones recorded an open verdict because suicide could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

He said there could be a number of reasons why Mr Hall wrote the notes, acted "out of character", and could not rule out that he fell by accident into the quarry due to the bad weather.

He said: "I have to be certain what he did, he did with the intention of ending his life. If I am not certain or simply believe it plausible, that is not enough.

"It would be out of character to decide to end your life with no background or illness which would set you on that process.

"The big question remains unanswered, and that occasionally happens in inquests and I am sorry for that."

Mr Hall, better known to friends as Jim, was married to Sandra with whom he had two grown-up sons.

He was well known around Bolton as a patron of Bolton Lads and Girls Club and as chairman of the Turton fundraising committee of Cancer Research UK, and his sporting interests including long-held memberships of Bolton Golf Club and cycling group Lancashire Road Club.

Speaking after the inquest son Mr Hall, of Harwood, thanked the police and mountain rescue team for all their efforts on the day of the incident.