AN inquest into the death of the youngest son of a former Clarets star is expected to be held next month.

Johnny Waldron, 26, died earlier this year after apparently choking on food at his home in Italy. His death came a year after he moved to Naples with his partner Karen Johnson to teach English.

His father Colin, 54, a member of the Burnley Football Club side that clinched the 1972/1973 Second Division title, flew out to Naples after hearing of the tragedy in May. An investigation into the sudden death was carried out by the Italian authorities and a report has been sent to the coroner's office in Burnley.

An interpreter has been employed to translate the documents and, when that is complete, a full inquest will be held, probably at the end of November.

Colin Waldron now runs bookmakers Waldron Racing, in Bradley Hall Road, Nelson, and lives in Cliviger with his wife, Jenny.

He paid tribute to his son and his partner Karen. The young couple had, he said, made many friends after starting their new life in Italy.

Family, friends and Burnley FC stars of the past gathered in Holme Chapel, for Johnny's funeral.

After the ceremony at St John the Divine, a church close to the Waldron's family home, they attended a service at Burnley Crematorium.

Johnny was the couple's youngest son and had an elder brother Nicholas, 29.

Colin Waldron signed for Burnley from Chelsea in October 1967 for £30,000. The Bristol-born defender played more than 300 games at centreback and was the youngest skipper in the old First Division at just 21.

He was a member of the Clarets' 1974 FA Cup semi-final side but joined Manchester United following relegation back to Division Two in 1976.