An inquest has opened into the tragic death of a man at the age of just 47.

Bolton-born Andrew Phillip Smith was found unresponsive at his home on Rosewood Court, Albert Road on Sunday, September 25.

At a hearing held this week, Area Coroner for Greater Manchester West Peter Sigee ruled that a full inquest will aim to determine his cause of death and offered his condolences to Mr Smith’s loved ones.

He said: “I ‘ve decided that it is necessary for me to open an inquest and so will do so.

“And so that is the formal decision I make at this stage.”

Mr Sigee recieved introductory evidence from Police Coroners Officer Stefan Wilson at the hearing.

PCO Wilson confirmed that enquiries had been carried out and that there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

He also said that Greater Manchester Police and the North West Ambulance Service had been called to the scene on September 25 into the early hours of September 26.

Mr Sigee ruled that a full inquest will be held to explore Mr Smith’s medical history and the factors that led him to come by his death in the coming months.

He set a provisional date for the full inquest to take place on Thursday February 23 this year.