AN 82-year-old man was found dead at the foot of his stairs in his wellington boots, with his pet dog at his side.

Retired builder William Kelly, was found with his feet facing up the stairs and his head on the floor at his home in Park Street, Bolton, in July 2003.

The alarm was raised by Mr Kelly's next door neighbour of 30 years, Mr Gerald Ogden after he had not seen him for a couple of days.

Mr Ogden went to the house with a police officer who broke in. Mr Kelly appeared to have been dead for a couple of days and his dog Sally was found lying next to him in a distressed state.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming heard that Mr Kelly had died from a head injury after he appeared to have fallen backwards on the first step of the stairs. Five years ago widower Mr Kelly had injured an arm after a ladder fall which may have meant that he had not been able to grip the bannister rail as tightly as he used to.

The fact that Mr Kelly was wearing wellington boots may also have contributed to his fall.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by the coroner.