The death of man who tragically drowned while desperately trying to save his young daughter was an accident, a coroner has concluded.

Dean Price went into the River Esk at Longtown on a hot and sunny day on June 30 after seven-year-old Delilah slipped and fell into the water.

Mr Price, a 32-year-old maintenance man, made desperate efforts to keep his daughter's head above the deep water.

The youngster was rescued by Geoff Maxwell, a joiner and off-duty retained firefighter who was working nearby.

But Mr Price went under the fast-moving, swirling water and disappeared from view. His body was found several hours later by divers.

An inquest into the death of Mr Price, of Walsall, West Midlands, was held in Carlisle today.

It was said that the "fit and healthy" married man died as a result of immersion - most likely drowning.

Senior Cumbria coroner David Roberts concluded that his death was an accident.

Mr Roberts praised the intervention of self-employed joiner Mr Maxwell, from Langholm, who told the hearing how he bravely pulled Delilah to safety.

The coroner told him: "On behalf of the public generally, I would like to thank you for your selfless act."