AN inquest has been opened into the death of a man who died after falling from a Blackburn hostel for the homeless in a suspected suicide.

Toolmaker Paul Gates, 45 died on May 12 after plunging from a second floor window at Union House, St Peter Street, where he lived.

Blackburn Police have ruled out foul play but have confirmed: "We are treating it as a suicide although we are keeping an open mind."

Coroner's clerk John Schofield told the inquest that Mr Gates was confirmed dead outside the home by paramedics and witnesses said he was found under a second storey window of a room from where, according to witnesses, he fell. There were no suspicious circumstances.

A post mortem examination has been held but the inquest was adjourned until August 8 to allow further toxicology tests to be carried out.