A 73-year-old retired clergyman, who sparked a major police search when he went missing from an East Harling care home, died because of uncontrolled diabetes as a result of Alzheimer's disease, an inquest heard yesterday.

A 73-year-old retired clergyman, who sparked a major police search when he went missing from an East Harling care home, died because of uncontrolled diabetes as a result of Alzheimer's disease, an inquest heard yesterday.

The Rev Raymond Powell, of Roydon, was staying at The Beeches care home in East Harling for a week of respite care. An extensive air and land search was launched involving 50 police officers, the search and rescue helicopter from Wattisham and volunteers.

But Mr Powell was discovered at the bottom of an embankment at East Harling industrial estate on November 19, two miles from where he went missing, and was taken semi-conscious the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he died about two hours after being found.

Greater Norfolk coroner William Armstrong adjourned the inquest to a later date.