There were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ behind the death of a homeless man in Bolton town centre, a coroner has heard.

Steven John Templeton, of no fixed abode and originally from Glasgow, was just 43 years old when he was found dead on Bradshawgate on March 27 this year.

An inquest into his death that opened this week heard how the area was known to be frequented by squatters and drug users, but there were no suspicions of third-party involvement in Mr Templeton’s death.

Detective Constable Nichola Veitch Lancaster said: “Police investigations found no suspicious circumstances and I believe the body has been released.”

DC Lancaster told the inquest how Mr Templeton, who was out of work at the time of his death, had been identified by his fingerprints and that a post-mortem investigation had been carried out by Dr Patrick Waugh of Royal Bolton Hospital on April 11.

Dr Waugh gave the cause of death as multiple drug toxicity with heroin and cocaine found in his system.

Coroner Peter Sigee ruled that a full hearing will take place later this year to establish the full facts around Mr Templeton’s death and set a date for November 18.

He closed by offering his condolences to Mr Templeton’s loved ones.