A MAN found collapsed in the doorway of his flat died after a drinking binge, an inquest heard.

Neighbours of James Murphy, 69, who had earlier seen him in a drunken state, thought he was "sleeping off" the effects of the alcohol.

But they became concerned when he was still there some time later and called the police who arrived at his home, in Bowland House, Primrose Bank, Blackburn shortly after midnight on November 16, to find him clutching his keys in one hand and a bag of cold chips in the other.

Paramedics could not revive Mr Murphy, a retired soldier, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination revealed the level of alcohol in his blood was four times the drink-drive limit.

His liver also showed damage seen in someone with an alcohol problem.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, coroner Michael Singleton, said: "He had consumed considerable amounts of alcohol prior to collapsing outside his own front door.

"There is no reason to believe he intended to harm himself."