AN inquest into the death of a man known as Tommy the Tramp has been opened and adjourned.

Police launched an inquiry after a body believed to be that of Tommy was found with head injuries in a derelict house in Belle Vue Place, Burnley, at about 4pm last Sunday.

Police were initially treating the death as suspicious and sealed off the house, one in a block of disused properties. They scaled down the investigation after further inquiries.

A post mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist concluded the death was not suspicious, although an exact cause of death has yet to be established.

Thomas Holland, 40, who was originally from Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, but who had been living in Burnley for several years, was later identified by fingerprints.

An inquest was opened by East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor on Thursday and a full inquest will be held once toxicology tests have been concluded.

Coroner's officer Bob Wilson said it appeared Mr Holland had been sleeping rough at the address in Belle Vue Place and had been found with minor head injuries. He said there was no suggestion there had been any third party involved in Tommy's death.