A CORONER has returned an open verdict following an inquest into the death of a 68-year-old man.

David Tilbury was found dead at his flat in Cheriton Road, Folkestone, on July 7 last year.

The inquest heard that due to the body's decomposition the pathologist was unable to report a cause of death.

According to his landlady, Paula Perkins of Dolphins Road, Folkestone, Mr Tilbury had not been seen for a week. She went into his room and he was found on the floor next to the bed.

Coroner Rachel Redman read out a police statement which confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mrs Perkins described Mr Tilbury as a "perfect gentleman" but claimed that he "always appeared to be drunk, which all the other tenants can verify."

However, testimony from Mr Tilbury's family refuted this, claiming that he never drank, but that he had a brain operation when he was 21 which may have affected his behaviour.

No alcohol was found in his room and there was no evidence of alcohol in the pathologist's report.

Mrs Redman said: "Because of the ascertained cause of death I will return an open verdict. I am unable to be sure how Mr Tilbury came by his death."