A MAN who suffered three heart attacks and a stroke in four years died in hospital after an operation to remove bowel cancer, an inquest was told.

Harold Marshall, 79, of Rosegrove Lane, Burnley, died on February 28 at Burnley General Hospital. East Lancashire Coroner David Smith recorded a verdict of misadventure.

Home Office pathologist William Lawlor said his death was caused by several contributing factors, including the combination of bronchial pneumonia and multi-organ failure -- including the heart, lungs and kidneys.

He said these had developed following the operation which was necessary to remove the bowel cancer and that Mr Marshall's pre-existing heart disease and chronic obstructive airways disease also contributed to his death. Mr Marshall suffered heart attacks in 1996 and 1999 and a stroke in February 2000.

Errol Gross, the consultant general surgeon, assisted at the operation on February 21 and said for the first day after the operation, Mr Marshall was recovering.

He added that Mr Marshall's health deteriorated after that day, forcing him to use a ventilation machine, until his heart, lungs and kidneys all failed.