A HEAVY drinker died after he fell asleep with a cigarette in his hand.

An inquest into the death of Alan Scott, 62, of Newfield Drive, Nelson, heard the lit cigarette burned through the mattress.

Acting East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said a post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Scott had died from smoke inhalation.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Robert Croft, assistant divisional fire officer for Pendle, told the inquest in Burnley that he was called to the victim's flat at 5.30pm on July 15 after police reported a suspicious death.

Mr Croft told the hearing: "I was told there were signs of fire at the premises.

"There was a smell of smoke in the rear bedroom where Mr Scott had been sleeping," he said.

The mattress and bottom sheet were burned, he added, but the mattress had smouldered and not caught fire.

He said that Mr Scott had been seen earlier carrying a bag containing cans of drink.

Investigators who searched the living room of the property found five empty cans of Carlsberg Special Brew strong lager.

The coroner said: "The deceased was known to drink excessively and smoke roll-your-owns.

"It appears that he had gone to bed, apparently with a cigarette still lit.

"He then fell asleep or, for whatever reason, the cigarette was not extinguished.

"This then burned through the mattress and caught fire, which led to his death."