ALCOHOLIC Cecil Peter Dearden died as a result of his addiction even though there was not a trace of drink in him at the time.

An inquest in Blackburn heard he had suffered withdrawal symptoms which triggered the epileptic seizure that killed him. Deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Mr Dearden, 61, of Gainsborough Avenue, Darwen, a retired company manager, was a registered alcoholic and had attended a substance clinic in Burnley between 1994 and 1996.

In 1996 he had been put on probation for two years for drink-driving and had been sent on an alcohol in moderation programme by the probation service.

But his partner of the last 11 years, Sheila Parkinson, said he had been consuming a considerable amount of alcohol for many years.

She said she had sought medical assistance at hospitals in Burnley and Blackburn without success. "I was classed as being capable of looking after him and was more or less told to get on with it," said Ms Parkinson.

"I got very little support."

She told how she had left Mr Dearden in bed when she went to work and when she returned found him dead at the side of the bed.

Home Office pathologist Doctor William Lawler, who carried out a post-mortem examination, gave the medical cause of death as epilepsy. He said tests had revealed no trace of alcohol in Mr Dearden's body.

"Epilepsy can be related to prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption," his report revealed.

"Seizures are more likely to occur when the level is zero because it is effectively alcohol withdrawal."