THE former chief executive of the North York Moors National Park collapsed and died naturally during a fight against cancer, an inquest heard.

David Oakley Arnold-Forster, OBE, 46, who was also chief executive of English Nature, was found slumped in toilets at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, on September 29 last year.

Pathologist Dr Freddy Patel said the cause of death was gastric intestinal haemorrhage due to rupture of small veins. A benign tumour of the liver could have contributed.

City of London coroner, Paul Matthews, recorded a verdict of natural causes.

Mr Arnold-Forster's widow, Anita, 38, of Fountain Cottage, Scalby, Scarborough, said of her husband: "He was outgoing, very fit, a natural leader, involved in the Territorial Army. A charismatic person."

Updated: 11:07 Thursday, March 27, 2003