A MAN with severe learning difficulties died after falling down stairs at his home, an inquest heard.

Mr John Douglas Peters, 65, of Sunnyside Avenue, Billington, suffered a fractured skull in the fall and later died in Blackburn Royal Infirmary on December 6 last year.

The Blackburn inquest heard Mr Peters had severe learning difficulties as a result of suffering meningitis as a child.

His condition meant he could not read and could only just write his name.

However, around seven years ago, he was prescribed tablets which helped with his condition and allowed him to get out.

Mr Peters was cared for by his sister, Ann Peters, at their home in Billington.

She said that on the night of the accident her brother had been to a Christmas party at a local church and he fell climbing the stairs to go to bed.

The inquest was told that Mr Peters had never had an alcoholic drink in his life and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A post mortem examination showed he died as a result of his head injuries.

Assistant Deputy Coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Mr John Birch, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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