A MAN drowned taking a late night swim on holiday after drinking heavily, an inquest was told.

Albert Anthony Smith, aged 46, of Columbia Road, Heaton, was on holiday in Buscerias, Mexico, with five friends.

The court was told Mr Smith had a meal in the restaurant at their hotel, the Royal Decameron Tropical, on August 26.

The group went to the hotel bar where Mr Smith, a security guard, drank whisky and brandy for two hours before going for a swim.

Statements by his friends Gary Heathcoate and Kevin Sharpe, read out in court, said Mr Smith fell asleep in a chair after drinking.

When he woke he began to sing, took off his shirt and watch and said he was going for a swim.

Despite attempts to stop him, Mr Smith went into the sea and got into difficulty.

He was recovered by a security guard but despite attempts to resuscitate him he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Smith, a divorcee, lived alone and had one son, Brian, aged 23, and a stepson, aged 28.

Alan Walsh, assistant deputy coroner, said: "It is always very dangerous to go swimming after a meal and a drink."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.