A HOME Office forensic pathologist, called in after allegations were made that a 41-year-old Blackburn man had been deliberately poisoned, was unable to establish a medical cause of death.

An inquest heard that extensive tests were also carried out into the possibility that Dominico Bilardi had contracted a tropical disease while holidaying in Brazil shortly before his death.

But Dr Naomi Carter told the hearing that despite exhaustive tests and examination she had been unable to establish a medical cause of death.

She said that on the balance of probabilities Mr Bilardi died of natural causes, which coroner Michael Singleton recorded as his verdict.

Mr Singleton earlier told the hearing that allegations had been made to him by family members that Mr Bilardi had been poisoned.

The inquest heard that Mr Bilardi, of York Street, Blackburn, and his partner had won a holiday in Brazil in a competition.

Ann-Marie Braythwaite told the inquest that after returning from Brazil Mr Bilardi had complained of feeling generally unwell. He had planned to go to see his doctor the day after he died.

She told how on July 5 he had taken some Lemsip for his cold symptoms and gone to bed at about 7 pm.

He did not switch of his alarm at 5.15 am, the time he normally got up to go to work as a pastry processor at Holland's Pies, and when Miss Braythwaite went to his room he was unresponsive.

Dr Carter's extensive toxicological tests carried out in the laboratory had not revealed any abnormal substances and despite evidence of a chest infection she could not confirm a viral infection.

"I looked at the possibility of a tropical disease, particularly malaria, and consulted with several colleagues but could find no evidence of malaria or any other disease," said Dr Carter.

"Investigating the specific allegations about toxins being administered, there was no evidence he had taken any toxic substance or been poisoned in any way. Despite extensive tests I drew a blank."