A MAN who had just started a job as a binman drowned in the bath after taking heroin, an inquest has heard.

Liam Gorton, 22, was found submerged at his home in Burnley by his uncle Jimmy.

His mother, Debra Gorton, said she had known her son had taken cannabis since his early teenage years.

Coroner James Newman concluded his death was drug-related during an inquest at Preston Coroners’ Court.

He said: “He died as a result of drowning due to heroin toxicity.

“He was found submerged in a bath whilst under the influence of intoxicated substances.

“He was transferred to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital where despite ongoing resuscitation attempts, he was unrecoverable and died at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital on April 20, 2018.”

Mr Gorton's mother Debra said her son had got himself drug-free but relapsed before his death.

Speaking after the inquest on behalf of herself, Jimmy and her daughter, Natalie, she said: "He had been clean for quite a while. He had relapsed due to depression. He was working. He was back on track.

"He was caring, loving and understanding. He was everything. He was everybody's friend.

"He was best mates with his sister. He was there for his little cousins all the time. He had a lot of love and affection for us all. We miss him everyday."

During the inquest Dr Gagan Thind, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said he could offer no medical cause of Mr Gorton’s death.

But tests showed Mr Gorton’s death was consistent with drowning due to heroin toxicity and he also had a blood concentration total morphine range encountered in fatalities.

Mr Gorton, of Kyan Street, had recently found work as as a refuse collector for Hyndburn Council in Accrington.

Mr Gorton was a former pupil at Lord Street Primary School in Colne and the former Towneley High School in Burnley.

At college, Mr Gorton studied upholstery and did a variety of different jobs before he came a bin man.

A former army cadet, Mr Gorton also enjoyed history, particularly wars, politics and current affairs.

In a written statement read out during the inquest Ms Gorton said: “I had known Liam had taken drugs aged 14 or 15.

“You could tell when he had been on drugs, as he’d be high and then come down.

“Liam wouldn’t tell me he used drugs as he knew I didn’t agree with it.

“He’d had no troubles since Christmas and seemed fine after his job.”

His uncle Jim, who discovered Mr Gorton, said: “I had last seen him a few days previously.

“He seemed okay and I knew he had a history of substance misuse.

“He had a new job and was doing well for himself.”