Man dies in Portugal honeymoon cliff plunge

A British bridegroom has died after falling from a cliff during his honeymoon in Portugal.

Brian Orton was returning to his hotel in the dark following a meal with his wife when he lost his footing on a cliffpath, according to reports.

It is not clear if the 45-year-old fell from the top of the path or from an open-air escalator built into the cliff face in the popular resort of Albufeira.

Mr Orton's wife, Catherine, 40, had been walking ahead and only realised he had disappeared when she called out to him and got no reply, the Daily Mail said.

His body was found following a 90-minute search.

It is believed the gas engineer, from Coundon, near Bishop Auckland in County Durham, plunged up to 60ft (18m) during the tragedy on July 1.

The newlyweds arrived at the resort for their 10-day honeymoon on June 25, after marrying four days earlier.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Orton's death and said it had provided his family with consular assistance.

PA