A 36-YEAR-MAN is believed to have bled to death after falling down stairs at his home.

The body of Dean Francis was discovered by his father when he called at his house in Sydney Street, Darwen yesterday.

Mr Francis, 36, is believed to have fallen down stairs and through a glass panel at the foot of the stairs.

Police say Mr Francis died from head injuries and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. It is believed that Mr Francis bled to death.

The dead man was well known in the Darwen area and has relatives in the town but lived on his own.

The exact time of death is still not known and police are trying to establish how long the body remained undiscovered. Police are investigating the death but do not believe there any suspicious circumstances.

Inspector Stuart Coates of Darwen police said: "It would appear that Mr Francis fell down the stairs and struck a a window at the bottom of the stairs.

"We are investigating the incident and we are still talking to Mr Francis's friends and family."

Dean's father, who lives in Anyon Street, Darwen, was too upset to speak about the tragedy.

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