COMPANY director Brian John Collins died after collapsing at the wheel of his car.

Mr Collins, 58, of Rudyard Drive, Darwen, was found to be dead on arrival at Burnley General Hospital after a three-car accident in North Valley Road, Colne, on March 13.

An inquest at Burnley heard that the cause of death was heart disease.

Damian John Collins of Dewhurst Street, Darwen said his father had complained of chest pains seven years ago and that was put down to a suspected ulcer.

About eight weeks before the accident he had again complained of chest pains, which was again thought to be an ulcer. As far as he was concerned he had nothing to worry about and the day before the accident he was moving soil in the garden. Mr Collins said he was told that his father was laughing and joking at work 20 minutes before he set off on the fatal journey.

The inquest heard that Mr Collins' Rover hit the back of a slow moving car on the nearside and then continued, half on the pavement and half on the road, before colliding into the rear of a Volvo driven by Wendy Edwards, of Earnsdale Avenue, Darwen.

People in both cars suffered slight injuries.

Mrs Edwards said she saw the car behind filling with smoke. She turned off the ignition and then undid the tie and collar of the driver, who was pale and slumped over.

Pathologist Dr W D Salman, said Mr Collins had suffered from heart disease, including a quite extensive heart problem which could have dated back to the time of the pains seven years earlier. Cause of death was heart disease.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith recorded a verdict that Mr Collins died from natural causes.