AN inquest into the death of a former businessman who died in Brazil was opened yesterday. .

At the inquest in Burnley, acting East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said a post mortem examination was carried out in Brazil and gave Geoff Pike's cause of death as drowning.

Mr Pike's body has now been returned to Lancashire where it was formally identified by his son Nicholas.

Mr Pike, 45, formally of Prospect Road, Rawtenstall, moved to Brazil to start a new life with his Brazilian wife, Adri.

Friends said he went swimming on February 16 at Imbe Beach, Rio Grande de Sol, in the south of the country.

Attempts made by friends to revive him failed.

Mr Taylor adjourned the inquest for further information from the Brazilian authorities.

The funeral will be at St Mary's CE Church, Rawtenstall, on Friday at noon and will be followed by cremation at Burnley Crematorium.

The family is holding a reception at Burnley Football Club.