Honeymooner dies in 60ft 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 cliff path, 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. His body was found following a 90-minute search.

It is believed the gas engineer, from Coundon, near Bishop Auckland in County Durham, plunged 60ft on 1 July.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Orton’s death and has provided his family with consular assistance.