A 71-year-old man died after a rare micro-organism found in soil and decaying trees invaded his body.

David Cooper, of Knowlsey Road, Darwen, had suffered from a form of lymphoma for about 11 years.

An inquest was told he was taken into hospital in February and had a blood transfusion. But when was taken back into hospital later in the month he had become confused and disorientated and he died on April 4.

The inquest heard the fungal bacteria is mostly present in earth, especially if it is contaminated with bird droppings.

A consultant pathologist from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital said in 15 years she had only come across one previous case.

"Most people with a good immune system will not be affected by the organism," said Dr Howid Shawki.

She said she was originally looking for signs of tuberculosis, as had been suspected by doctors prior to Mr Cooper's death.

Instead she found cerebral cryptococcosis, a type of fungus found in soil and dead treas which is transmitted by inhaling. It kills between 0.4 and 1.3 people per 100,000.

"Once the organism is in the body, most people with a good immune system will not be affected," said Dr Shawki.

Answering questions from Mr Cooper's family, Dr Shawki said the disease was very difficult to detect while the patient was alive.

In Mr Cooper's case, she said there was no sign of any inflammation which would suggest his immune system had not detected the presence of the organism.

Medical cause of death was given as cerebral crypto-coccosis.

Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict of natural causes.