A MAN lay dead in his home for eight weeks before he was discovered, it was revealed today.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said the death of John McPhee, 48, had struck at the traditional values which had helped rural towns such as Clitheroe survive.

Mr McPhee was discovered by relatives at his home in Henthorn Road, Clitheroe, after they became concerned about mail piling up behind the door.

Police say they believe he died as long as a week before the New York terror attacks.

They say the last newspapers found in his house were dated September 4.

Mr McPhee was discovered in the kitchen of his large semi-detached home where he lived alone.

Inspector Bob Ford, of Clitheroe police, said officers entered the property after receiving a call from relatives.

He said Mr McPhee is understood to have died from natural causes although a post mortem examination has not yet been carried out.

He said: "The relatives had checked with local hospitals and neighbours and, as no-one had seen him, contacted us.

"We discovered Mr McPhee's body in the kitchen at 2pm on Friday.

"The house was secure and investigations showed there were no suspicious circumstances. It is very sad."

Mr Evans said social services and police should look at a possible inquiry into the death to ensure a similar case does not happen again.

Mr Evans said: "I could believe this happening in London but I am bewildered that this could happen in a community-spirited town like Clitheroe.

"It's a tragedy and I think we need an inquiry -- perhaps involving the police and social services -- to learn lessons from it.

"And it gives us all a good lesson to look out for people in our communities, particularly those who live alone."

A relative of Mr McPhee, who did not want to be named, visited the house yesterday to check it was secured.

He said: "We contacted police after being unable to get in touch with John, but it would not be right to say any more."

Councillor Alan Yearing, who represents the Henthorn road area on Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: "It's absolutely tragic. You would normally expect something to be picked up but this man was a bit of a loner.

"There will always be people in the community who prefer their own company, and who other people perhaps prefer not to mix with. It's their right if they just want to get on with their own lives."

Neighbours of Mr McPhee described him as a loner who kept himself to himself but said he was not a hermit.

One woman said: "It's a real shame. I didn't know him that well. He was very much a loner, not a happy man at all."

Another said: "I heard he had died, but only knew him by sight. It is an awful thing to lie there for eight weeks".

Staff at the nearby Henthorn News said they knew of Mr McPhee but he was not a regular at the shop.

At Henthorn Road Post Office one member of staff said he regularly came in to collect his money.

She added: "One of his relatives came in here on Friday to ask if we'd seen him. I thought it a bit odd that I hadn't but just thought he could've been in when I wasn't working. It's very sad and such a shame."

Mr McPhee is not thought to have worked for a number of years.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest is being arranged.