An alcoholic died after falling down the stairs after he moved from a help centre to live independently, an inquest has heard.

Divorcee John Burgess, 55, had previously been at Horton Housing Association’s New Cross Street Centre but at the time of his death, on January 9 this year, was living in more independent housing in Ackworth Street, West Bowling.

On January 9 a neighbour heard a loud bang from next door and rang police who found Mr Burgess “almost upside down” on the stairs.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had enough alcohol in his system when he died to have been intoxicated. He died as a result of head injuries.

The Bradford inquest yesterday heard how there had been concerns Mr Burgess had started drinking again.

Assistant Deputy Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict of accidental death.