A BLACKBURN man who died while serving a prison sentence died of natural causes, an inquest heard.

A post mortem examination showed that Bernard Kelly had lung cancer which had spread to his spine.

He underwent hospital tests before losing power from the waist down, several weeks before he died.

An inquest at Preston heard Mr Kelly, aged 75, of Bunkers Hill Close, Blackburn, was ordered to serve three years in prison in September 2001 and an appeal was pending. At the time he died he was a prisoner at Wymott, near Leyland.

In May 2002 he complained of right sided pain and underwent hospital tests. In September he lost the sensation in his legs.

Investigations showed he had a tumour and died on October 6th in the Royal Preston Hospital.

The jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes.