AN ALCOHOLIC died after taking an accidental overdose of paracetamol when he could not get his hands on booze, an inquest was told.

Philip Clegg, 33, of Scott Park Road, Burnley, had a long-standing problem with alcohol before his death on February 27.

His dad compared his problems with ex-Manchester United footballer George Best who is currently seriously ill in hospital.

Philip Lesley Clegg said he had let his son move in with him and tried his best to get him off alcohol -- but to no avail.

He said: "If they don't want to give up, there's nothing you can do about it."

He said his son would go to the shop for a morning newspaper and come back drunk.

His wife had also had problems with alcohol but Mr Clegg said his son was never sad but full of life when drunk.

Mr Clegg senior took his son to an alcohol rehabilitation centre in Eccles and said after a three-week stay, his son never looked better and he thought he was cured.

But three days later, Philip was dead after taking paracetamol when he could not find alcohol because his dad made sure there was none in the house.

Mr Clegg found his son in a poorly condition on July 18 and he was taken to Burnley General Hospital before being transferred to Royal Preston Hospital where he died.

Before his death, Philip told his dad he had taken a paracetamol overdose and was sorry as he did not realise how serious it was.

Mr Clegg added: "I think he was finding whatever he could in the house and crushing them up to try to get the same effect as drink. I don't think for one minute he did it on purpose."

Pathologist Dr Alexander Howat said the cause of death was liver failure caused by an excessive amount of paracetamol.

He added: "The problem with paracetamol is you don't have to take that many to cause problems. This may well have been accidental."

Coroner Richard Taylor said to Mr Clegg: "You don't believe your son intended to take his own life. I accept that. You knew him best.

"You had a son who had a significant problem and you helped him cope. He took the paracetamol as he was desperate to try to get some high. That sadly proved fatal."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.