A 44-YEAR-OLD man found dead at his Accrington home had taken a lethal mix of heroin and alcohol, an inquest heard.

Stephen Jefferson Ball returned to his home town in September after living in Ireland for about 12 years.

But on his return, he quickly got involved with drugs and the inquest heard that the day before his death he had purchased heroin and crack cocaine. the inquest was told.

He was found on the floor of his living room by a friend who went round on December 30 to return his mobile phone.

One of his friends, William McWilliams said that since his return to Accrington Mr Ball had been a regular user of heroin.

"He was calling at my house every morning asking me to score for him," said Mr McWillliams.

Mr Ball, of Wilfred Street, died of morphine and alcohol poisoning and coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of misadventure.