A MAN who went back to a pub for his cigarettes was struck by a taxi as he crossed the road, a Bolton inquest was told.

Grandfather John Sharrock suffered serious head injuries and later died after the accident outside the Royal Oak pub in Wigan Road, Leigh.

Mr Sharrock, aged 57, a joiner, who lived in Wigan Road, had been drinking in the pub with his wife Kathleen shortly before the accident in February. He left the pub at 10pm with his wife and crossed Wigan Road to buy a pizza from a takeaway.

Realising he had left his cigarettes in the pub, Mr Sharrock set off back across the road, crossing opposite a parked private hire minibus outside the pub.

As taxi driver Michael Hutt tried to pass the minibus, he became aware of Mr Sharrock crossing the road. Mr Sharrock increased his pace to a brisk walk and continued his path in front of the taxi, which hit him.

Police accident investigator Paul Booth said tests showed the taxi had been travelling at 29mph in a 30mph zone. Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Jennifer Leeming said traffic safety measures needed to be improved in Wigan Road.