Teenager Gaia Pope died of hypothermia, an inquest has been told.

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard the 19-year-old, of Langton Matravers, died of hypothermia when she opened an inquest into her death at Bournemouth coroner's court.

Coroner's officer Andrew Lord told the coroner that pathologist Dr Russell Delaney was initially unable to establish a cause of death, but following tests he was later able to say that Miss Pope had died from hypothermia.

The inquest also heard Gaia's family has concerns in relation to her death.

Dorset County Council social services will be asked to provide statements, the hearing was told.

There will also be more investigation about the time and exact location of her death.

Gaia's cousin, Marienna Pope Weidemann was at the inquest opening.

Gaia's family have released a statement saying their "hearts broke all over again" when they were told the cause of her death.

Gaia, whose full name was given as Gaia Kima Pope-Sutherland, went missing from Swanage on November 7 last year and her disappearance sparked a huge search of the town and Purbeck coast.

Police, specialist search teams and hundreds of members of the local community took part in many searches of the area before her body was found near the clifftop at Swanage 11 days later.

Police search teams found the teenager's body in undergrowth between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point, close to the coastal path.

During the search period three people had been arrested on suspicion of Gaia's murder but the day after her body was found police said there was nothing to suggest any other person had been involved in her death.

No one will face any charges.

Gaia's family thanked all those who had helped in the search and her sister described her as "the absolute light of my life."

The inquest was adjourned until May 14 for a pre-inquest review.

SPEAKING after the hearing, Gaia's cousin, Marienna Pope Weidemann said: "It was just a few days ago that the family received confirmation that Gaia died of hypothermia and our hearts broke all over again.

"Dealing with their shock and grief, Gaia's parents, Natasha and Richard, and her sisters Clara and Maya, couldn't be here today.

"But they wanted me to thank all our loved ones, whose loyalty and support keeps us going as we try to make sense of our sudden and terrible loss.

"Every minute without Gaia feels like an hour and every hour without answers seems endless."