A 78-YEAR-OLD man whose body was found near Wellington Monument more than five months after he went missing has been described as a talented “old-fashion gentleman” by his family.

Paul Hyam, who was last seen on August 26, 2016, was a retired prison officer and a talented musician who once appeared on Blue Peter, an inquest at Taunton Coroner's Court heard today (April 12)

His body was discovered by a local walker in a wooded area near Wellington Monument on February 7.

Paul lived in Pyles Thorne Close with his wife of 58-years, Gillian, and was described as a talented man who played the piano, guitar, ukelele and organ.

Juliet Nicholas-Hope, Paul’s sister, said: “He was a hands-on family man. Paul had gone to great lengths to help his family.

"He could be the epitome of kindness and patience and he could be impulsive. But on the other hand, he was a deeply reflective thinker.

"He always wanted to achieve everything. He learned to play Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, the whole thing, without a manuscript on piano which was incredible.”

Susan Donaldson, his eldest daughter, said: "He was an old-fashioned gentleman. He was always smartly dressed.

"He liked gardening and doing things. he was a do-er. He was a talented man who was musical and good with his hands. He made us a doll's house when we were younger.

"When I last saw him he was affable and jokey. He was particularly jovial and he was playful with the grandchildren.

"We all called him grumpy grandad but we all adored him."

The coroner's court heard that Paul had left the house without talking to his wife on the morning of August 26.

He was visited a hardware store in Wellington and was seen later that morning walking towards Wellington Monument.

It is believed he chose to take his life on August 26 or in the few days following.

In a statement to police in October, Paul's wife Gillian said: "We were married in 1959 and had three children, Susan, Nicolas and Joanne.

"I thought it was strange Paul would leave the house without talking to me. I was not worried unduly.

"Paul is an impulsive character. We had a strong and loving relationship. We first met when we were 18 or 19.

"He often acted on the spur of the moment. He was a talented man and he once appeared on Blue Peter on TV. He played guitar, ukelele, piano and organ."

Paul and Gillian lived in Canada for six yers and when returned he started working in the prison service, including at HMP Ashford.

Mrs Hyam added: "Paul is a complete gentleman. He is loved by truly by his family and doted on by the grandchildren. He could never do enough for them."

After Paul went missing police officers, fire brigade search crews, dogs from neighbouring polices forces, rangers from the Blackdown Hills, the Highways team, farmers who had signed up to the Farm Watch scheme, and police helicopters were all used in the extensive search.

Mr Hyams died "on or about August 26" but that the "reason he wasn't found sooner was because he didn't want to be found", the inquest heard.

Tony Williams, H M Senior Coroner for the District of Somerset, recorded a conclusion of suicide.