TEACHER William Clifford Allan died after a massive drinking binge at his Clitheroe home, an inquest was told.

The former pop musician and government economist had a blood alcohol level more than six times the legal drink driving limit when he was found on the floor of his York Street flat.

The inquest was told that Mr Allan, 52, who was suffering from cancer of the mouth, had last been seen two days previously by John Michael McGough. And Mr McGough told how the brilliant academic's life had ended when he slumped to the floor among the debris of his latest binge.

The inquest was told that Mr Allan, a former teacher at a private college in Kensington and holder of BA and MA degrees from Lancaster University, had been writing a book. He was the former lead guitarist with 1960s group The Cartwrights.

Mr McGough said he had been visiting a friend, Mrs Sylvia Almonti, of York Street, on May 15, when Mr Allan called. He said Mr Allan knew Mrs Almonti from when she and her husband had the Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green and he had lived at a bungalow in the village. Mr McGough described the chaotic scene that greeted him when he went to the flat shortly after. A standard lamp had been smashed in three pieces, a wooden coffee table had been smashed and a metal table broken. The floor was strewn with broken glass and there were empty champagne, whisky and wine bottles all over the floor.

Mr McGough started to tidy up.

Mr Allan had phoned a taxi firm and instructed them to bring him some drink and cigars and when these did not arrive he became agitated.

Mr McGough went out and bought four bottles of whisky, four cans of beer and a packet of cigars and gave them to Mr Allan, who drank two cans of beer and smoked a cigar. Before Mr McGough left Mr Allan said he felt a lot better.

Two days later, Mr McGough was passing when he saw the door to Mr Allan's flat slightly ajar. When he went in nothing had changed in the room except Mr Allan, who was slumped face down on the floor in front of his armchair.

Mr McGough told the inquest that Mr Allan had periods where he was off drink altogether, but when he had first met him he was not allowed in any pubs or off licences in Clitheroe.

He said that at Christmas he had bought Mr Allan "a bottle or two" and had invited him round for Christmas dinner because he only had a box of stuffing in the cupboard.

The inquest was told that Mr Allan had died of postural asphyxia, acute alcohol poisoning and a fatty liver.

Acting coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of misadventure.

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