A MAN has died this morning after a night drinking with friends.

The 27-year-old - named locally as Martin Ball, known as "Marve" - fell unconscious at a house in Harley Avenue, Harwood, in the early hours of this morning. 

An ambulance was called at 6.32am after he stopped breathing, and he was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital, but efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead at 7.41am.

It is understood Mr Ball had a pre-existing liver condition, and had returned to the house in Harley Avenue after an evening in the pub.

Police were called by paramedics to the house at 6.54am and carried out door-to-door enquiries about the incident this morning.

However, a spokesman for the force has confirmed they are not treating his death as suspicious.

Tributes have poured in via social media sites for Mr Ball, a former pupil at Bolton College and Thornleigh Salesian College.

On Twitter Col Brooks wrote: “Would just like to say that today is a very sad day! We’ve lost an absolute legend.

“Marve B (Martin Ball) got some top memories.”

Aggz wrote: “Such sad news... Too many young people dying these days... RIP Martin Ball.”

On Facebook Steven Burns wrote: “Rip he was a crackin fella”, and Rob Tully said: “Rip Marve. Gone too soon.”

Phil Luti added: “Legend, sleep tight bro x”.

Residents at the house in Harley Avenue said they were too upset to speak to The Bolton News.