A SOLDIER who had guarded Buckingham Palace may have been breaking Scots Guards rules by drinking in his barracks before his death, it was revealed today.

Martin Rimmer, 22, of St Paul's Street, Clitheroe, a former apprentice footballer with Blackburn Rovers, was found slumped in a corner of Wellington Barracks, near Buckingham Palace, at 6.45am on Sunday.

It is understood Mr Rimmer, who had been in the 1st Battalion Scots Guards for two years, had been drinking with fellow guardsmen before his death. An inquest will be opened in London tomorrow..

Five guardsmen were arrested by police and questioned in separate police stations across central London yesterday while a post mortem examination was carried out.

They have since all been released on police bail.

The results of the examination have been delayed while toxicology tests are being carried out.

It is believed that Guardsman Rimmer, a former pupil at St Augustine's RC High School, Billington, had a head injury and police were initially treating the death as suspicious. However, the first stage of the post-mortem proved inconclusive.

It is not known yet where the off-duty soldier had been drinking. The barracks in London's Birdcage Walk, where the regiment is stationed, have not been ruled out -- even though alcohol on the premises is strictly against the regiment's rules.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We do not know at this moment where the alcohol was consumed although it cannot be ruled out that some may have been brought into the barracks, which in itself is a disciplinary matter. This information will be released once the matter has been fully investigated.

He added: "We wish to offer our most sincere condolences to Guardsman Rimmer's family and wish to say that the regiment and the army are doing all they can to assist the police with their inquiries."

Guardsman Rimmer's parents were informed of their son's death by Clitheroe police on Sunday.

It is believed they will be offered counselling by family liaison members of the Ministry of Defence. They are currently too shocked and upset by the tragedy to talk.

If they wish, they may request a full military funeral for their son, who remained a keen footballer, representing the army.

As a guardsman, his most recent duties were in the Queen's Guards on February 7 in the support vehicle which carries the regiment's capes should they be required if the weather turns inclement. He has undertaken these duties at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and St James' Palace.

It is believed his past duties included a Northern Ireland posting, where he was supporting the Royal Ulster Constabulary during security operations around the Drumcree marches.

Martin's former headmaster Anthony McNamara said: "The school and staff is devastated by the news. Martin was one of those lovely lads who was a pleasure to be with and always represented the school with distinction. We send out our deepest sympathy to his family."

Head of PE, Chris Horrocks, added: "Martin was one of the most outstanding sports people St Augustine's had ever produced. He was a top class footballer and was signed by Blackburn Rovers when he left school.

"He also represented Lancashire at athletics, as he was an excellent sprinter. The whole school will miss him."