POLICE have ruled out a link between the death of a Scots Guardsman and that of his father, who died suddenly 20 years ago.

Martin Rimmer, 22, of St Paul's Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, died last weekend in Wellington Barracks, after a suspected drinking session with colleagues.

An inquest has been opened into the death of the former apprentice footballer with Blackburn Rovers, who had been in the 1st Battalion Scots Guards for two years.

Five guardsmen were arrested by police and questioned before being released on police bail. Now the London coroner's office dealing with the case has confirmed that Guardsman Rimmer's natural father, Martin Bialecki, died aged 29 in a drink-related accident at his home in Balmoral Avenue, Clitheroe, more than 20 years ago.

The cause of death was recorded as a head injury linked to intoxication. It is believed he fell in his garden where some excavation work had been carried out.

Westminster coroner's officer Ray Tiney said the funeral is likely to be held with full military honours.

He said: "They seem to be a very close, well-respected Lancashire family who are naturally proud of the fact their son was in the Scots Guards.

" I would have thought it was a natural choice for them to wish him to be given a full military funeral.

"We have been informed that it is the second tragedy to affect the family though it will not form part of the inquest."

Guardsman Rimmer, who took the name of his mother's second husband, was found dead on Sunday morning at the barracks close to Buckingham Palace by the duty commander.

It is believed he had been drinking with fellow guardsmen the evening before.

His mother Patsy is too upset to speak about the incident.

An initial post-mortem examination could not confirm the exact cause of death and results of toxicology tests are still awaited.

The family is understood to have travelled down to London though the coroner's office has said the soldier's body still has not been released. The matter is to be reviewed again on Wednesday.

Members of the Ministry of Defence family liaison office are counselling the distraught family and are likely to continue offering their support for several weeks.