A WOMAN today vowed to clear her fianc's name after he committed suicide during an investigation into claims he bullied her children.

David Bradshaw, 31, of London Terrace, Darwen, died of carbon monoxide poisoning after running fumes through a vacuum cleaner attachment into his car from the exhaust on July 4.

He was discovered at the wheel in Cob Lane, Oswaldtwistle, the following morning, clutching a beer bottle and a photograph of his family.

At an inquest into his death, coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict of suicide. The hearing was told that Mr Bradshaw was living with his fiance Shelana McNeill, her two toddler sons, and their eight-month-old daughter when the claims were made.

Blackburn with Darwen Council social services received an anonymous call alleging Mr Bradshaw was beating them and discovered bruising on both boys, the inquest was told.

Believing neighbours were responsible for the call, Mr Bradshaw challenged them and was arrested and detained in custody overnight.

The arrest caused a dramatic mood change, sending him into alcohol-fuelled depression, the hearing was told.

Miss McNeill told the court: "The last time I saw David he was upset and angry. He had started to believe what Social Services were saying, that he was a child beater."

His friend Stephen Marrs, of Entwistle Street, Darwen, told the hearing his friend had taken to drinking two crates of lager and a bottle of spirits every day in the week before his death.

Mr Marrs said he blamed Social Services and police for his friend's death. He said: "He's got three other children from different relationships and he has never done anything like that in his whole life."

After the hearing, Miss McNeill said: "I have contacted my solicitors and made an appointment.

"I want to find out what options are open to me to try to clear his name and take action against the police and social services."

Director of Blackburn with Darwen Council Social Services Stephen Sloss said: "I was saddened to learn of Mr Bradshaw's death and would offer my heartfelt sympathy to Ms McNeill and the family.

"Social Services must always respond to concerns about children. We try to do this in a professional way and follow correct procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee."

A Blackburn police spokesman said: "If a formal complaint is made, we will look into the circumstances surrounding any arrest made before he took his life."