A "TROUBLED soul" with a history of binge drinking was discovered dead at his home surrounded by beer cans and bottles, an inquest was told.

The body of James Ronald Wilkinson, of Oak Street, Shawforth, Rossendale, was found by a family member in December 2005.

The 51-year-old, said to be a manic depressive, had drinking problems for 20 years and had drunk himself unconscious in the past, sister Margaret Alan Shaw told the inquest.

She said: "He was a binge drinker. He could go for months without drinking anything. Then he would start drinking all the time.

"It was whisky and vodka and then he tried to cut the spirits and went onto beer."

Mr Wilkinson lost his mother in 1997 which again triggered his drinking. In 2000 he went into rehabilitation and seemed to be doing well.

"We never really knew what triggered it," added Ms Shaw.

Dr Zuhair Twaij, consultant pathologist at Burnley General, said Mr Wilkinson's alcohol levels were six to seven times the legal limit for driving and that "the cause of death was alcohol intoxication."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Richard Taylor said: "He was a troubled soul who suffered from depression."

"I have no evidence to suggest he intended to end his life."