AN OXFORD journalist whose body was found in a field near Thame is thought to have died from hypothermia.

An inquest opening into the death of Florence Waters today heard how the 33-year-old was reported missing on the evening of November 19.

The court heard how her family had recently become 'concerned about her behaviour'.

After no signs of life for 48 hours Thames Valley Police classified Ms Waters, of East Street in Oxford, a high risk missing person.

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said: "On November 22 Thames Valley Police received calls from a farmer who stated the previous day he had found a canvas shopping bag in the middle of a field.

"Officers began searching the area and at 7.26pm the search team located a body in a ditch believed to be Florence."

Intial post-mortem results suggest the journalist, who had been arts editor for the Daily Telegraph before becoming a freelancer, died of hypothermia. Although, Mr Salter added that more tests are yet to be carried out before the full inquest.

Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances concerning her death.

The full inquest will be held on May 16.