AN ex-miner who died in hospital could not get out of bed at all for the last 12 months of his life, an inquest heard.

A Burnley inquest opening was told how John Leonard Moor, 76, was on oxygen night and day for almost a year but that stopped having effect.

East Lancs Coroner David Smith adjourned the hearing.

Mr Moor's widow Margaret, of Reedyford Road, Nelson, said her husband died in Burnley General Hospital on 18 July. Born in Barnsley, he was a retired coal miner.

He had gone down the mines on leaving school and retired during the 1960s. He had always worked undergound.

Mrs Moor said her husband suffered from a bad chest from the 60s and had emphysema, bronchitis and asthma. He was receiving disability pension at a rate of 75 per cent when he died and a claim for compensation from British Coal had been started.

Mrs Moor said during the last 12 months of his life, her husband couldn't get out of bed.

He slept downstairs and she used to have to bath him. Mr Moor used oxygen day and night but that ceased to have effect.

She added her husband was admitted to hospital on 10 July and he couldn't breathe at all.