HEROIN may have played a part in the death of a 37-year-old man, an inquest was told.

Bury District Coroner Barrie Williains opened a hearing into the death of former driver Lee Calvert.

Father-of-three Mr Calvert, of Heath Avenue, Summerseat, died when he was on weekend leave from Fairfield General Hospital, where he was a voluntary patient.

His partner, Karen Haworth, woke in bed to find Mr Calvert lying motionless on his back, his face blue in colour.

Coroner's officer, Geoff Cave, told the coroner that police found a substance at the scene, believed to be heroin, and there had been an indication that he had been injecting himself with a syringe. Police have ruled out foul play or third party involvement in the death.

A post mortem examination was carried out at the Royal Oldham Hospital, and samples have been sent off for toxicological analysis.

The coroner adjourned the hearing.