Police are considering whether to bring manslaughter charges after a joiner plunged 20 feet to his death when a scaffolding collapsed underneath him.

Coroner Michael Singleton revealed the possibility of criminal charges during the opening of an inquest into the death of Peter Walton.

Mr Walton, 55, was in a coma for five-and-a-half weeks before he died following the fall at Altham Business Park on May 10.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-four, from Thornton Cleveleys, suffered severe head injuries.

Mr Walton had been working on the new Mercury Rise office complex in Altham for several months.

Accrington CID and the Health and Safety Executive are jointly investigating the death, although they had not revealed what lines of inquiry were being looked at.

But Mr Singleton told the hearing: "The police are involved and there is a possibility of a manslaughter charge."

A second post mortem examination on Mr Walton is due to take place tomorrow.

Mr Singleton added: "This post mortem examination is for the benefit of anyone who was charged.

"They would then have an expert to consider matters from the defendant's perspective."

Mr Walton died in his wife Christine's arms and surrounded by family and friends at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Mrs Walton, 52, has already spoken of her grief, revealing that she wouldn't wish what she and her family had been through on her worst enemy.

Mr Walton was working for Poulton-le-Fylde-based New Look Construction on a site run by Glen Mill Group Developments.

The inquest was adjourned until September 12.