A keen runner drowned after falling into a canal while going for a jog with his dog, an inquest has heard.

Mark Baldwin, who had taken part in triathlons, was reported missing by his wife Helen Molyneux-Baldwin, when he failed to return home from his twice-weekly run in Fleet, Hampshire, on May 14 2017.

Police launched a search for the 45-year-old and a 12-man team began trawling the Basingstoke Canal where his body was found by Pc Paul Boulton in water about 5ft (1.5m) deep.

Witness Paula Player told the Basingstoke inquest that she saw Mr Baldwin about half a mile from where he was found and said that he looked unwell.

She said: "He looked like he had just run 20 miles, he looked really unwell. He looked like he had run a long way, he looked quite pale."

Mrs Molyneux-Baldwin said her husband had told her that he was going out for a "short run" with the family's spaniel and she became worried when he failed to return.

She said she alerted the police after a member of the public reported that they had found the dog running loose.

Coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of accidental death and said that a post-mortem examination showed that Mr Baldwin died of drowning.

He said there was no sign that Mr Baldwin had a heart attack but he may have suffered an arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm, which may have contributed to his difficulties when he entered the canal which had a muddy floor.

Mr Bradley said: "There are no explanations when you fall into cold water, the shock of it could cause an arrhythmia.

"He may have just lost footing and if there there is no solid base under your feet, you may find yourself in difficulties."

Mr Baldwin's mother, Rosemary Baldwin, said: "He had done triathlons, he was used to water, it just seems strange that he has just drowned in something that is not very deep."