A man found dead at the foot of cliffs changed his will three weeks earlier to leave his house to a friend.

Roy Chalmers had discussed euthanasia with his friend and carer Steven Macaulay in the months before he died.

A Brighton inquest heard yesterday that Mr Chalmers, 79, of Overhill Gardens, Patcham, had given Mr Macaulay more than £10,000 in the weeks leading up to his death.

Mr Chalmers was reported missing by Londoner Mr Macaulay, 45, after he failed to return from visiting a friend on the Easter bank holiday.

He was found three days later, on April 16, at the foot of cliffs near Brighton Marina The inquest heard how Mr Macaulay had written to Sussex Police telling them Mr Chalmers had asked him if he would like his house after he died, to which he had replied yes.

Mr Macaulay handed the letter to officers on the day he was told of the discovery of Mr Chalmers' body.

In it, he said: "All he wanted was to die. I said the only way I would help him to die was if he was terminally ill with cancer but still he kept on about dying."

In the weeks before Mr Chalmers' death, Mr Macaulay had also been given a lump sum of £9,000 and three further cash sums of £400 by Mr Chalmers because he was having money problems, the inquest was told.

He acted as Mr Chalmers' carer but was not paid for this.

Mr Chalmers had asked him to move in to be his full-time carer and said he would sign the new will when he agreed to move in, the inquest heard.

The day after the will had been signed, Mr Macaulay went on holiday to Thailand for two weeks and said he would discuss moving in on his return.

The first will, which had been prepared by Help the Aged in May 2003, left Mr Macaulay Mr Chalmers' business, Roy's Optics, and did not include any property. Police found it torn up in a recycling bin.

A second will was drawn up by Mr Macaulay in March 2004 but was destroyed because it contained inaccuracies.

A third will made on March 27, 2004 was back-dated to September 2003.

It was witnessed by two of Mr Macaulay's friends and was signed by Mr Chalmers the day before Mr Macaulay went on holiday.

He told the inquest Mr Chalmers had asked him to back-date the will so it would not look suspicious if he died in the following weeks.

Mr Macaulay, in his letter, said: "I said 'You're not going to die for at least 20 years' but he was adamant he was going to die soon, with or without my help."

While on holiday, Mr Chalmers rang him to say he had attempted suicide and asked him to come back but Mr Macaulay said he could not.

He returned on April 9 and visited Mr Chalmers two days later. Mr Chalmers mentioned he wanted to visit a friend Mr Macaulay had never heard of, who lived in Marine Drive, Brighton.

They argued but Mr Macaulay eventually dropped him off opposite the block of flats.

He said: "I thought it was a bit strange so I drove back past the flats and slowed down right by the bus stop but I could not see Roy anywhere."

Police found no one in the flats had been visited by Mr Chalmers.

The inquest heard Mr Macaulay was arrested on April 23 on suspicion of aiding and assisting a suicide and making a false instrument but was released without charge.

Mr Chalmers had suffered a history of depression and anxiety but appeared to be on the mend.

Mr Macaulay said in the months leading up to his disappearance, Mr Chalmers had often asked for a bullet or a pill to "end it all."

Detective Sergeant Chris Standard, who investigated the case, told the inquest: "I have growing concerns over certain issues.

"They relate both to this inquest in terms of April 12 events and there are concerns also about the will."

"I still find it quite extraordinary Mr Macaulay took him down and left him on the edge of Brighton by some cliffs without any idea how he would get home. I find it very difficult to comprehend that course of action."

Recording an open verdict, Brighton and Hove coroner Veronica Hamilton Deeley said she was not completely satisfied with Mr Macaulay's evidence and could not record a verdict of suicide.

She said: "I am concerned about a very elderly, vulnerable and unwell man with a history of depression, increasing reclusiveness and increased reliance on Mr Macaulay.

"I heard he wanted Mr Macaulay to be his live-in carer and I heard a significant smack of lend me the money and I will move in."