A CCTV operator raised the alarm when they spotted a man on the top floor of a town centre car park.

An inquest into the death of David John Howard was opened in Burnley on Friday.

He died on Tuesday after falling more than 50ft from the Curzon Square multi-storey car park, formerly Millennium car park, behind the Next store, in the town.

Martin Hall, coroner’s officer, told the inquest: “He is believed to have been suffering from mental health issues for an unknown reason.

“He travelled from his home in Skipton to Burnley town centre by public transport.

“He was seen on the top floor of the car park by the CCTV operative who noticed he was looking over the barrier to the street below.

“Town centre staff alerted to the situation called the emergency services, but before he was located, he was seen by members of the public to manoeuvre himself over the ledge before falling to his death.”

The incident was reported to police at 12.40pm on Tuesday and the 52-year-old, of Moorview Way, Skipton, was pronounced dead by paramedics at 12.51pm.

Consultant pathologist Dr Walid Salman carried out a post mortem examination on Mr Howard at Royal Blackburn Hospital and found the cause of death to be multiple severe injuries.

Police said they were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.

The inquest was adjourned to November 25 and will be held at Burnley Coroner’s Court.