POLICE are investigating claims that the drinks of a man who died may have been "doctored."

James Edward Pickford, 29, was found dead at his girlfriend's home in South View, Nelson, on Friday.

An inquest at Burnley was told yesterday that a post mortem examination had been performed but that a cause of death could not be given until the result of toxicology tests were received from Manchester Royal Infirmary.

That could take six weeks East Lancashire Coroner David Smith told Mr Pickford's family.

He added: "There is some suspicion or allegation that his drinks may have been doctored." Deputy Coroner's officer Bob Wilson said police inquiries were continuing so that they could be satisfied there was no third party involvement in Mr Pickford's death.

Catherine Eyre of Bentley Street, Nelson, said her son, a single man, lived with her.

Last Wednesday night he spent at his girlfriend's address in South View. At 6am on Thursday morning they both came to her home with some washing. They left about 7.30am.

At 1.30pm after she had been shopping she returned home and looked into James's room, where she saw him in bed. He got up at about 3.30pm to watch television and left at 5pm. He came back at 6.45pm and then left at 7.30pm with the washing.

Mrs Eye said she later saw an ambulance and police outside the house in South View, which was near to her own home.

Eventually she could stand it no longer and went down to find out what was going on.

Adjourning the inquest pending further inquiries Mr Smith told Mrs Eyre that her son's body would have to be retained for some days before the cremation could go ahead.

He added: "It is in your son's interests and in your interests as well that the situation is properly investigated."