A man who had been addicted to heroin for more than half his life died after taking too much prescribed medication.

Marcus Rosthorn was found dead at home in Roebuck Close, Blackburn, on August 20 by a member of staff from Sanctuary Housing - the association that managed his supported accommodation.

An inquest in Accrington Town Hall heard how the 44-year-old, who had started using heroin when he was just 17, had been referred to Inspire, a drug rehabilitation service in Blackburn in 2015.

Coroner Mark Williams told the hearing: "A toxicology report noted that Marcus had methadone in his system in the range encountered in fatalities as well as tramadol, mirtazipine, olanzapine and diazepam. A medical cause of death was offered as multi-drug toxicity."

The inquest heard Marcus, who was a keen Blackburn Rovers supporter, had been on a methadone programme for which he collected a prescription from the pharmacy on a daily basis, but was also known to buy illicit drugs, such as painkiller, tramadol, and sedative, diazepam, from street dealers.

In June, some concerns had been raised by Sanctuary Housing staff member, Caroline Hartley, about his mental health and his personal hygiene.

He was referred to the mental health team but missed appointments until he was eventually seen at the beginning of August, when it appeared that he was looking after himself and was in a good way.

Mr Williams told the inquest: "He had a history of drug misuse and associated mental health issues. Inspire had worked with him since 2015 and he had been prescribed 80ml of methadone.

"Concerns were made in June and appointments made for July which he did not attend, which was a regular factor in his care.

"However he did attend an appointment on August 6 and a drug screen showed he had been taking his methadone but he also admitted to using diazepam and tramadol, which were not prescribed.

"This was the last contact Inspire had with Marcus, and in the days prior to his death he appeared to be looking after himself and was clean and tidy and appeared to be in a good way."

On Tuesday August 18 Ms Hartley had checked on him in his home, and told the inquest she had no concerns about his welfare at that time.

She said: "He was fine on the Tuesday. He was clean and he even said 'I am feeling great and I have paid my rent'.

"I didn't see him on the Wednesday as when I knocked on his door he didn't answer, so I thought he must've been out as he did like to take himself on walks.

"But then the pharmacy phoned on Thursday and said he hadn't been to pick up his prescription for the last two days and so I went to get a key to his house and when I went in I found him in his bedroom, curled up against the wall.

"He had his coat on and I thought he was just lying down but when I went over it was clear he had passed."

Mr Williams said the combination of drugs found in his system were such that together they had led to his death and he recorded a drug-related death conclusion.