A 32-year-old man died after taking a massive dose of a pain-killer which had belonged to a friend, an inquest heard.

The level of amitrypt-iline in Russell Hollings's blood was more than 30 times a high therapeutic level and more than double the level at which fatality could be expected.

Pathologist Dr Richard Prescott said the extremely high reading could only have been achieved by taking one big dose of tablets and could not be attributed to a build-up over a period of time.

Mr Hollings was found dead in his bedroom at his home in Higher South Street, Darwen, on August 12.

His mother, Joan Hollings, said he had worked as an engineer until five years previously when he suffered serious damage to his knees after jumping over a wall.

She said her son had started to drink and that became a problem.

She said that on the Saturday night, Mr Hollings had asked for a lift to Accrington to visit a friend, Darren Tomlinson, but that hadn't been possible so he stayed in.

Mrs Hollings said her son didn't do or say anything that caused her concern but the following day she found him dead in his room.

Recording a verdict that Mr Hollings killed himself, coroner Michael Singleton said he had clearly taken a very large number of tablets.

"I am left with the inevitable conclusion that Mr Hollings took a serious overdose," said Mr Singleton.