A 36-YEAR-OLD man was found dead face down in a stream after a night out, an inquest has heard.

Ian Jackson, was discovered in a stream close to the Ashworth Arms in Rawtenstall in May.

His death led to a murder-style inquiry by police who drafted in a special Home Office pathologist to investigate whether any foul play had occurred.

But yesterday, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor ruled that Mr Jackson had died accidentally and said: “We don’t know exactly what happened to him.”

The inquest at Burnley Coroner’s Court was told that Mr Jackson, of Pasturelands, Loveclough, had recently split up with his partner and had been hunting around for a flat to move into.

Then, on May 30, he headed out with friends drinking at both the Ashworth Arms, in Burnley Road, and the White Lion, also in Burnley Road.

The hearing heard from witness statements that during the night Mr Jackson was “distressed” about his break up but “otherwise fine”.

Deborah Walsh, who saw him in the White Lion, was asked by Mr Taylor if he appeared very concerned or depressed during the night.

She replied: “Not one bit.”

However, after a last sighting of Mr Jackson on CCTV at around 1.50am on May 31, he was discovered dead in the stream later that day.

Dr Charles Wilson, a Home Office forensic pathologist who deals with suspicious deaths, said police had told him Mr Jackson was found face down in about 10cm of water.

He found various external injuries, including a laceration on the back of his head, grazing on the side of his face and bruising to his wrist.

He also found Mr Jackson’s heart enlarged and a fracture to his neck. A toxicology test concluded that he was almost five times over the legal drink-drive limit and had traces of cocaine in his blood.

However, Dr Wilson said he believed Mr Jackson had died of immersion in the water.

Mr Jackson’s father Alan told the hearing: “Ian was a wonderful lad. He was a best friend.

“He was my mate and his mother’s mate. He was well loved.”