A “true icon” died just days before Christmas after drinking heavily at his home in High Wycombe, an inquest heard yesterday.

Tony Moore, 58, was found dead at home in St Hughs Avenue by his carer on December 21 last year, with alcohol levels of more than three times the UK drink-drive limit found in his system.

In a statement that was read out to coroner Crispin Butler, special constable Matthew Peppett said Mr Moore was discovered lying on the sofa “cuddling” a blanket which had blood-stained vomit on it.

There was also blood-stained vomit around his mouth, as well as empty bottles of alcohol and an uneaten sandwich on a table in front of him, the inquest heard.

David Vladut, of CLECE care services, said he had been to see Mr Moore, originally from Marlow, three times the day before he died.

He said in a statement: “He was sleeping in the lounge and had half empty bottles of wine and vodka around him.

“I offered to make him a fresh sandwich and he said no. I made it anyway and left it in front of him.

“He asked for help in sitting up and asked for the bottle of vodka from which he had taken a few mouthfuls.

“As far as I am aware, he refused to eat several days before he died but was drinking large quantities of alcohol.”

However niece Heidi Moore insisted there were no empty bottles of alcohol or a blanket when she went to see him after he had passed away, but was told by police they had not “touched him or anything else”.

Giving evidence, she said: “I went up to see him after he passed away.

“Police have said there were empty bottles of vodka with a sandwich near him but when I got there, there was no empty bottles whatsoever.

“They told me he was lying on the sofa and they had touched absolutely nothing. So where did those bottles go then? Where did the blanket go as there wasn’t there either.

“I went back to my parents’ house and said something was not right as it was just too clean.

“Someone was in there, someone tidied up. Something didn’t feel right to me, I thought that when I walked in.”

Mr Moore has been described as a “true icon” by his family, who said he would be “missed dearly” by everyone who knew him.

In a joint statement, his brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Julie, Heidi and her daughter Amber, said: “Tony was an amazing person that made everyone smile and laugh when they met him.

“He was a true icon in Marlow and he will be missed dearly by everyone. We love you Tony.”

The coroner concluded the inquest by ruling the cause of death as alcohol related.