A MAN died as a result of injuries sustained after falling down the stairs at his home, a coroner ruled this week.

Laurence Underwood was last seen alive on May 3 and was discovered dead two days later when a family member forced his way into his house after finding a safety latch was still in place on the door.

A post mortem into the 56-year-old's death showed he had an alcohol reading of 455.6mg per decilitre in vitreous humour - described by a doctor as an "extremely high level of ethanol" capable of causing coma, respiratory failure and death.

The inquest heard Mr Underwood, of Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, had a history of alcohol abuse.

Coroner Richard Hulett recorded a verdict of accidental death.