LAW student Stephen Thompson was found dead from a drugs overdose the day after telling family and friends he felt he had done well in exams, an inquest heard.

Mr Thompson, 30, of Sandfield Road, Bacup, died from an overdose of methadone, sleeping tablets and anti-depressant tablets.

Traces of heroin were also found in his system, the inquest at Burnley was told.

Sarah Thompson, of Maden Road, Bacup, said her son, a single man, was studying law at OIdham College.

Over the years he had a drugs problem but had promised to try to break it and was receiving prescribed methadone which was gradually being reduced.

She said he was happy at college and felt he had done well in exams.

Paul Williams, also of Sandfield Road, said he was repairing his car on Saturday, December 11, when he was told there was a body of a man outside one of the houses.

He went to see and telephoned for the emergency services. It was obvious the body had been there for some time.

PC Ian Whitehead said the house where Mr Thompson was found had been empty for 12 months and there was no obvious reason why he should have been there.

Police were satisfied there was no third party involvement or any suspicious circumstances.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, East Lancashire Coroner David Smith said Stephen's life was going from strength to strength and he was doing well at college. He had everything to live for.

He was continuing to take some drugs and on this occasion it had gone wrong with the combination of what he took having an effect he had not anticipated.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.