A coroner has criticised the ease with which drugs can be bought in the centre of Swansea after hearing how a Pontardawe man drowned off Mumbles.

Philip Rogers, the Swansea and Gower coroner, was speaking after hearing how Rory Ryan, aged 30, drowned after taking ecstasy and ghb and drinking alcohol.

He said Mr Ryan, a postman, had been a keen dancer "and unfortunately it seems that drugs are easily and commonly available in such places".

Mr Rogers also said that certain establishments "seem to be operating outside the law" in that they remained open long after larger clubs had closed for the night.

He recorded a verdict of death by misadvanture.

Mr Rogers said he had heard evidence during the three-day inquest that the combination of alcohol and ecstasy could cause complex reactions, including irrational behaviour. Mr Ryan had placed himself in danger by entering the sea off Mumbles while in such a condition.

The inquest heard how Mr Ryan had gone out drinking with a friend, Gareth Isherwood, on August 10, 2002.

They were still drinking the following afternoon, when Mr Ryan decided to enter the sea.

Mr Rogers said he was satisfied no-one had spiked his drinks or made him take drugs without his knowledge. Nor had he been pushed into the sea.

"He was not a strong swimmer and soon got into difficulties," he added.

The hearing had been told how Mr Isherwood caused confusion when he gave police an entirely different name for the man missing in the sea.

Stephen Skubala told how he "went to hell and back" after being asked later to identify a body recovered from the sea.

In fact, his son, Andrew, aged 17, had been at a house party six miles away.

In another twist, Mr Ryan's father Carl - a freelance photographer - took photographs of the rescue operation unaware his son was involved.