A FATHER-to-be hanged himself using the flex of a vacuum cleaner after a series of rows with his girlfriend.

Andrew Green had an on-off relationship with a 19-year-old woman who was carrying his child, an inquest was told.

The pair were said to often row about Mr Green's addiction to heroin.

Mr Green, aged 35, was found hanging from his staircase, with the flex of the vacuum cleaner wrapped around his neck.

Another section of the cable was looped around the staircase of his home in Slater Street, Bolton.

The inquest was told that his body was discovered by his friend, Martin Rawson, aged 36.

Mr Rawson, who lived with Mr Green, told Bolton Coroners Court: "I was woken up at 9.30am by two friends outside the house. When I went to open the door, I saw Andrew hanging by the stairs.

"We tried to loosen the flex and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation."

The day before his death Mr Green had spoken about his problems.

Mr Rawson said: "He chatted about his life and the hard time he had had. He had problems with his girlfriend and was often distressed and upset. He had also been burgled a number of times."

Mr Rawson said his friend injected heroin every day but was being treated for his addiction.

Pathologist Dr David Bisset said there was levels of morphine in Mr Green's blood at the time of his death. There was also a needle mark in his groin.

Coroner Aidan Cotter, who recorded a verdict that Mr Green took his own life while suffering from depression, said: "Heroin is a dangerous drug but sadly all too commonly used. Young people who abuse heroin end up in a terrible mess."