A MAN died after falling down a flight of stairs at his home, an inquest heard.

Keith Ralph, 76, of Hargreaves Street, Nelson, was found on December 5 by his nephew, Calvin Morris, after not being seen for more than a day.

The coroners court in Burnley heard that Mr Ralph had good mobility, walked unaided and had lived alone in the mid-terrace house since becoming a widower 15 years ago.

Mr Harris said he would visit his uncle around three times a week and would do his shopping.

Each Saturday they would take the early afternoon bus to Colne and visit The Red Lion and Duke of Lancaster pubs.

Mr Morris said that ‘after a few pints’ he had returned home at around 6pm but Mr Ralph had stayed in Colne.

When Mr Morris found his uncle at around 8pm on December 5 he was slumped at the bottom of the stairs, he was wearing the same clothes as he had on during their pub visit two days previously.

He added that there was broken glass nearby and surmised that he may have been taking a glass of water to bed.

A pathologist’s report noted that the alcohol in his bloodstream was around three times the drink drive limit.

The cause of death was given as multiple injuries.

Coroner Richard Taylor said that in all likelihood Mr Ralph had “overbalanced or tripped” while ascending the stairs to bed.

He recorded a verdict of mis-adventure.