AN elderly man fell down his stairs and died after a heavy drinking session in Kirkbymoorside.

William Sheffield, 78, had a high blood alcohol level when he was found dead at home in Kirby Mills on Saturday, May 22.

The night before, he had been spotted lying in the middle of the busy A170, which runs between the town and his home.

An inquest in Pickering heard how Peter Wilson had been driving into the town when he spotted Mr Sheffield, whom he knew, in the road. "I walked him home," said Mr Wilson. "He was unsteady on his feet and all over the place."

The following day, neighbours became concerned about him. In a statement, Jennifer Thompson-Kent said she and her husband, Robert, decided to check on Mr Sheffield, and spotted his shoes through the letter box. They rang the police and ambulance, who confirmed the death on their arrival at the scene.

Mr Sheffield's nephew, David Sheriff-Foster, said his uncle often slept on the settee. He said: "I think he had gone upstairs for the bedding, which he had taken up in the morning when he has fallen."

An autopsy found Mr Sheffield had died from a skull fracture and a haemorrhage. There was 270mg of alcohol in 100ml of his blood.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Updated: 12:40 Saturday, August 13, 2005