A TOP Blackburn doctor has warned of the dangers of drinking strong lagers and beers, claiming they played a part in the death of a man who drank just two-and-a-half pints a night.

Consultant physician Dr David Grimes told an inquest that many people do not realise the strength of their tipple.

And he said there is a "serious public health issue" surrounding the consumption of potent pints such as Carlsberg Special Brew.

Dr Grimes, who is based at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, was speaking at the inquest into the death of Allen Wood, 69, from Oswaldtwistle.

He said Mr Wood, a retired painter and decorator, had first become a patient in 1995 when he was extremely anaemic and had actually lost about two thirds of his blood. The blood was being lost through veins in the oesophagus as a result of liver damage.

Dr Grimes said at the time Mr Wood was drinking two and a half pints of beer every night.

"Had it been ordinary strength beer that would have been safe but he was drinking Carlsberg Special Brew," said Dr Grimes.

"Most people don't realise the strength of that kind of drink and I think there is a serious public health issue here.

"Some strong lagers have the same alcohol content as wine but not many consumers understand that," said Mr Grimes.

He added: "I believe the alcohol Mr Wood consumed in good faith was enough to cause the liver damage."

The inquest heard that Mr Wood made a good recovery after treatment in 1995 and Dr Grimes said he believed his liver had recovered.

However, in May of this year he suffered a relapse and the large veins in the oesophagus were once again bleeding.

A surgical procedure was successfully carried out in May but Mr Wood died in the operating theatre in July despite the best efforts of five doctors and nurses to resuscitate him.

Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton gave a commentary verdict which agreed with the medical cause of death as haemorrhaging initially due to alcoholic sclerosis of the liver.

Mr Allen left a wife, Irene, 72, and sons Stephen and Andrew.

Speaking after the inquest Mr Allen's son Stephen said his father had taken on board advice given by Dr Grimes in 1995.

He added: "I would like to thank Dr Grimes and all the other doctors for all their efforts, they did try very, very hard."