A DRUG addict who took cocaine on the day of his death was also suffering from deep vein thrombosis, an inquest was told.

Peter Wright, 35, of Henry Street, Nelson, died at his partner Maxine Devoy's home two days before Christmas after suffering breathing difficulties.

Miss Devoy, of Duke Street, Colne, said that Mr Wright had taken various drugs, including heroin, cannabis and cocaine since 1992. She said he had sought help for his addiction and had been prescribed methadone and diazepam.

On December 23 last year, Miss Devoy heard a bang on the bedroom floor from downstairs and Mr Wright shouting that he could not breath. She rang for an ambulance and Mr Wright was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Robert Wright, of Grange Street, Burnley, said that despite being prescribed methadone Mr Wright had still used heroin and on the day of his death had taken cocaine.

Pathologist Dr Twaij told the inquest that during the post mortem examination on Mr Wright he discovered a blood clot in one of his lungs. He was also found to have high levels of the heroin substitute methadone present in his blood system. Enough, according to Dr Twaij, to kill him.

Acting East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said: "The verdict I have to return in a case such as this is that the death was caused by drugs misuse."