A man died after taking heroine and battling asthma, an inquest heard.

Paul Cook, 36, was found unresponsive at his home in Stromness Place, Southend, by a friend on November 13 last year.

Paramedics were called to the scene but despite their efforts Mr Cook was pronounced dead.

Essex Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A post-mortem examination gave a cause of death as heroine and methadone as well as asthma.

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open conclusion at the inquest today.

She said: “I do not have enough evidence to show heh took his own life, and I am not going to record an accident as I don’t have enough detail about what happened.”