A FORMER soldier who started drinking while he was on active service died because of alcohol problems, an inquest heard.

Michael Billington, aged 46, died in June after falling in his flat in Bradford Street, Bolton.

The supermarket worker had previously served as a military policeman in Northern Ireland.

It was then, the Bolton Coroner’s Court was told, that he started to drink heavily.

His sister, Patricia Kerr, described him as a “charming, cheeky, funny, loveable character”.

She said: “He loved his outdoor activities as a young lad. He was very outgoing and active.”

After his mother died, Mr Billington pursued a career in the army, serving in many different countries.

Mrs Kerr said: “I think the army did have an impact on him. It was obviously a very varied life, but also very traumatic.

“He did see some not very nice things and I’m sure it had an effect on him.”

Mr Billington, who left the armed forces around 15 years ago, married a work colleague in August, 2002.

He told his new wife, Sheila Billington, he was a former alcoholic. But when the couple went on an all-inclusive holiday to Jamaica last September, Mr Billington started drinking again.

Mrs Billington told the inquest: “He was waking up sweating and needed a drink. It took its toll on our marriage.”

In February, Mrs Billington asked her husband to leave the marital home in Duncan Road and “sort himself out”.

Alcohol liaison nurse, Emma Demondy, told the court Mr Billington had sought to address his problems with alcohol, but this had proved unsuccessful.

Hospital records showed that Mr Billington had a number of falls in 2008. He cracked two ribs and also suffered head injuries.

Pathologist, Dr Jonathan Pearson, said Mr Billington had suffered a bilateral subdural haematoma — bleeding in the brain.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “His drinking over the years had a cumulative effect on him. One or more falls resulted in his death.”