A FATHER has told of his desperate fight to save his son from alcoholism -- but how he died despite his family's efforts to get him help.

Arthur Livesey spoke out at the inquest into the death of his 30-year-old son Craig from acute alcohol poisoning.

Mr Livesey said the family could not get the sort of assistance Craig really needed.

The inquest heard help was only available if Craig stopped drinking first.

Today Alcoholics Anonymous officials said there was help for people in Craig's position.

Mr Livesey told the hearing, at Burnley Magistrates Court: "He wanted help. I knew he was sinking into an addiction and was crying out for help. Wherever we turned we could not get help of the nature that Craig needed."

The inquest was told Craig, of Beaufort Street, Nelson, was found dead by his father at the family home on March 29. He had fallen asleep in the hallway after coming home from a drinking session.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor said: "He would have had no idea that the alcohol he was taking would have that night ended his life."

Mr Livesey told the inquest his son had had a drink problem for two to three years.

He said all the agencies approached for help for Craig said he must stop drinking before they could help him. He went on: "We wouldn't be here today if he could have stopped drinking without help. We didn't know where to turn.

Pathologist Dr Walid Salman said Craig died from acute alcohol poisoning. He would have just fallen asleep and did not suffer.

A spokesman for Alcoholics Anonymous today said: "There are a lot of organisations who can help. People go to AA meetings drunk and they will never be turned away but that person must want help for themselves.

"There's always somebody at the end of our 24-hour helpline and if somebody asks for help there is always someone to speak to. The is no magic cure -- if there was a quick fix ,the high profile people we see in the media would use it."