HEROIN may have played a part in the death of a Bury man found motionless and blue in the face by his partner in bed in the early hours, an inquest heard.

Bury district coroner Mr Barrie Williams was opening the hearing into the death of 37-year-old former driver Mr Lee Calvert of Heath Avenue, Summerseat.

Bury-born Mr Calvert had been rushed to Bury General Hospital, but was certified dead on arrival.

The father-of-three was on weekend leave from Fairfield General Hospital, where he was a voluntary patient, and was home with his partner, Karen Haworth.

They had gone to bed the previous evening but Miss Haworth awoke in the early hours of to find Mr Calvert motionless on his back, his face blue.

Coroner's officer Mr Geoff Cave told the coroner that police investigating the incident found a substance at the scene, believed to be heroin, and there had been an indication that Mr Calvert had been injecting himself. Police ruled out foul play or third party involvement.

A post mortem had been carried out at Royal Oldham Hospital and samples had been sent off for toxicological analysis.

The coroner adjourned the hearing pending the outcome of the examinations.