A SHOPWORKER found dead in his York flat by police died of natural causes, the Evening Press has learned.

Neighbours alerted officers after Michael Cager, 50, was not seen at his home for several weeks.

Officers called at his flat in Long Close Lane, off Hope Street, on Saturday and found him dead on the floor.

Mr Cager, who is believed to have family in the Brighton area, had not been seen at his workplace for six weeks.

A nearby flat resident told the police that his phone had been ringing unanswered for several weeks and he had not been seen or heard.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said Mr Cager "kept himself to himself" and formerly worked as a tour bus guide.

A spokesman for the York Coroner's office said Mr Cager had suffered a heart attack and there were no unusual circumstances.

Updated: 14:06 Tuesday, June 17, 2003