An elderly Leigh man fell to his death after an alcoholic binge, a court heard.

An inquest concluded that Leonard Stubbs, 80, died of head injuries suffered when he tumbled down a staircase at his home on Stonehill Road.

His landlord Christopher Pithers told the inquest how he had tried to revive Mr Stubbs after finding him collapsed at his home on October 17.

Mr Pithers, a landscape gardener, told the inquest: "He liked his drink and used to go to the local pub, usually over lunchtimes.

"It wasn't unusual for him to fall whilst under the influence of alcohol.

"On October 17, I came home from work and found him collapsed behind the front door at the bottom of the stairs. I just thought he had been drinking again but when I turned him over his eyes were red and ringed."

Consultant pathologist Peter Atkinson told the inquest that Mr Stubbs had in the past suffered with abnormal heart rhythms.

He said: "There was alcohol present in his body equal to two or three measures of spirit drunk in quick succession. This leaves two options open to me as to why he fell down the stairs - these are alcohol or through abnormal heart rhythms."

Southend coroner Dr Peter Dean concluded a verdict of accidental death.

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