A COLLEGE student drank himself to death during a night out with friends, a Leigh inquest was told.

Lee Alex Nellist, aged 25, of Waverley Avenue, Lowton, was said to have gone to a birthday party after he and some friends had visited a couple of local pubs. He died a few hours later.

A post mortem report read by coroner Martin Coppel revealed the amount of alcohol he drank that night had caused his death. Lee was found in a collapsed state outside a post office in Stone Cross Lane, Lowton, and later pronounced dead.

His father, Michael Nellist, of the same address, said: "He was a real bright happy lad, and he told me that one day he would like to be a college lecturer."

Mr Nellist said his son had a history of spina bifida and, when asked what he did with his leisure times, he said: "He was mad on Rugby League, and he had a special liking for Manchester United."

He added: "He was okay when I saw him last. He was not unwell, he had no complaints, there was nothing untoward."

Three friends who made statements said it was a jolly atmosphere that night and Lee was always a lively person. One friend said: "He was not hopelessly drunk that night."

Mr Coppel recorded a verdict of accidental death and added: "This was a most tragic happening."

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