A retired lecturer died when he choked on his food, an inquest heard.

Leslie Marcus Moorhouse, 84, was dining with his friend of 40 years, Donald Booth, at Lillibets in Leeds Road, Liversedge, when he started coughing and spluttering. A statement by Mr Booth, read out at the inquest at Bradford Coroner's court, said: "He began coughing and spluttering and got up to got to the toilet. I asked him if I could assist him, he said No'."

Mr Moorhouse, who was divorced and lived alone in Lamplands Grange, Batley, walked towards the exit, stopped at a table and collapsed. Despite attempts to resuscitate him by paramedics, they were unable to save his life and he was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded the death as a tragic accident. He said: "The medical cause of death is quite clear, that he died of asphyxiation secondary to choking."