FRIENDS of an Accrington man who was found dead in the bath at his home at the weekend have paid tribute to a "pleasant, outgoing guy".

The lifestyle of Stephen Marsh, 40, had posed a mystery to police officers investigating the cause of his death at his home in Maudsley Street.

His landlord, who he shared his home with, had described him as a quiet, insular and introverted, but to the regulars at the Castle and Open Anchor pubs, he was a well-liked man popular with his drinking pals.

Michael Doran, former landlord of the Castle said: "Stephen was not a loner. He did keep his personal life to himself, but I have had a drink with him many times and he certainly was not introverted or without friends.

"Everyone who knew him at the Castle and Open Anchor are shocked by his death and we want people to know that he was not alone.

"I knew him for about eight years after he moved here to be near his sister, who died a few years ago.

"He was an intelligent and funny man."

He added: "I last saw him on Thursday and he was in good spirits. There was certainly nothing bothering him.

"He liked a drink, but was not a big drinker.

"We shall miss him."

A post mortem revealed he had died from drowning and police have stressed they are not treating his death as suspicious.

Formerly from Wrexham, Mr Marsh was a Burnley FC and Acrington cricket club fan who moved to Accrington around 10 years ago, renting various properties before settling in Maudsley Street six years ago. He worked at Express Gifts in Church.

The present landlord of the Caste Hotel said regulars were saddened to hear of Mr Marsh's death.

He added: "He was a nice guy who kept himself to himself.

"He knew a lot of people here and never drank on his own."