A man was found dead by his friend due to a drug overdose, an inquest has heard.

Paul George Brown, 43, was found by his friend Gary Bates at his home on Rutland Street, Accrington, on June 14 after he had noticed he was not breathing.

Mr Bates shouted for Paul's partner, Tara Cooper, to get help and contacted the emergency services.

On the previous day, Paul and Tara had gone to Paul's mother's house Elaine to give her their money to keep hold of as they feared they would spend it.

Police attended and confirmed Paul had died on June 14 with no suspicious circumstances or foul play believed.

A statement from Mr Bates was given to the court at Blackburn Town Hall, who said he, Paul and Tara regularly used drugs such as crack cocaine, heroine and methadone, and "it was just a normal night for us."

He also said: "I thought he had a chance but soon after I knew it was too late.

"I had known him for a while and although he did not have many friends, he helped me when I broke my ankle."

The emergency services ordered Mr Bates to perform CPR on Paul, but he was unsuccessful and Paul died at the scene.

A post-mortem showed that there was blood found in Paul's lungs and airways, but no obvious injury to his body.

The post-mortem also found medications such as diazepam and tramadol in Paul's system, which doctors said would have caused a dangerous and life-threatening mixture.

A medical cause of a drug toxicity related death through excessive amounts of drugs and medication was recorded by Coroner Kate Bisset, who said: “I wish to pass on my sincere condolences to the family of Paul."

Ms Bisset recorded a conclusion of drug-related death.