A young barman left a heartbreaking note for his fiancée before he was found dead on the beach near his home, an inquest has heard.

The hearing on Friday was told Toby Barrowcliff from Herne Bay had been battling bouts of depression which had become too much for him.

His family say the 26-year-old masked his illness with an apparent happy-go-lucky outlook.

But it ended in tragedy in August when his body was discovered on the seafront near his home in Sea Street in the town.

Mr Barrowcliff worked in numerous bars and restaurants across Whitstable, Herne Bay and Ramsgate and at the time of his death, was employed at The Pier Ceylon in Herne Bay.

The inquest heard that he had left a note for his fianceé, Lucy Fruin, which was considered further evidence of an intention to take his own life. The coroner recorded his death as suicide.

Speaking after the hearing, Miss Fruin said: “He wrote to say how much he loved me and my daughter, Miley but couldn’t carry on anymore.

“It was heartbreaking but having the inquest does help bring us closure and the coroner was so kind.

“But we will never forget Toby and he will always be in our hearts.

“We will continue to keep his memory alive and maintain the memorial on the seafront which has suffered in the recent weather.”

In October, vandals damaged the floral tributes and messages, leaving the family angry and hurt.

Mr Barrowcliff went to Pilgrims Way and Wincheap primary schools in Canterbury as a child and lived in Hersden, before moving away to live with his father in Yorkshire.

“He made an impact on everyone he met and was always there for you...’

But he returned to east Kent about seven years ago to be close to his many siblings.

Speaking soon after his death, his eldest sister Lucy Speller said: “He could be the life and soul of the party but we knew he had his mental health struggles.

“He was taking anti-depressants but we never thought it would end like this. We are all heartbroken.”

He also leaves his other sister Elle and his dad, Rob.

“Toby was happiest working behind the bar, creating cocktails,” added Lucy.

“He was always on the move but worked variously at the Albion Rooms in Cliftonville, and Churchills, El Tricolore and De Flame in Ramsgate.

“He also had jobs at 39 in Whitstable and at Whitstable Castle, so he knew a lot of people.

“Once you met Toby, you could never forget him.

“He was that kind of personality.

“He made an impact on everyone he met and was always there for you if you needed a shoulder to cry on.”

After his death, a close family friend set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral which raised almost £8,000.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans any time on 116 123.