A MAN was found was dead on a Wirral beach almost a year after he went missing, an inquest heard today.

The body of Michael Murphy, from Mold, was discovered by a dog-walker near Stanley Road, Hoylake on December 4, 2012.

The 32-year-old had been missing from home since January 4, 2012, after he showed up to his job as a factory worker but failed to clock on.

An inquest into his death, which was held at Birkenhead Town Hall, was told how he had arrived at work with a colleague but CCTV images had shown his car being driven out of the car park at 5.55am before his shift was due to start.

His car was later discovered abandoned on the Queensferry by-pass at the Deeside Bridge, according to coroner’s officer Donald Johnston.

Detective Sergeant Nick Suffield from Merseyside Police said: “Michael Murphy was reported missing from home on January 4 by his mother. In the following months, appeals were unsuccessful.

“His body was found by a man walking his dog on the beach near Stanley Road. The death is not being treated as suspicious, furthermore there was no evidence of any third party involvement.”

A post-mortem examination showed there to be no alcohol or drugs in blood samples and the cause of death given was ”unascertained.”

Recording an open verdict, coroner Christopher Johnson said: “The deceased had been experiencing relationship problems and although he went to work on the morning of January 4, he did not clock on.

“CCTV footage showed his car being driven out at 5.55am but it is not possible to identify the driver.

"All efforts to locate him proved fruitless until his body was found on the beach.

“I do not have a positive cause of death as the pathologist was unable to give one. There is no evidence to indicate the circumstances in which he disappeared.”