Clive Ellis, of Leeward Quay, Sovereign Harbour, was found by landlord Pamela Ramjutun on July 29 last year after she noticed a bad smell.

The inquest heard how the 60-year-old, who had epilepsy and a history of alcoholism, had his own bedroom but shared a kitchen, bathroom and lounge with Miss Ramjutun.

He may have been dead for up to three weeks before his body was discovered.

She told the inquest, "He was always drunk. I was constantly telling him not to drink that much. I didn't know about his epilepsy.

"He would start drinking very early in the morning, maybe 4am sometimes.

"I hadn't seen or spoken to him for two weeks because I was working shifts. When I came home he was always in his room.

"It was only because it was hot, I was just cleaning and it started to smell really bad. I went into his room and saw him lying on the floor."

The inquest heard how she panicked and rang her father and uncle and then waited until police arrived.

PC Angie Gallagher told the inquest the former legal clerk's legs were tangled in a sheet and that it had looked like he had fallen over.

She added that a carrier bag containing alcohol was in the room but had not been drunk. The most recently dated newspaper found in his room was dated July 3 2007.

A statement from his sister, Jill Martin, described Mr Ellis as a 'loner'. It added, "I was aware he had a drink problem in the early 1980s.

"He was never a very social person, I don't know if he had any friends.

"In 2004 we became estranged, down to the fact he was a bit of a loner and when he was drunk he could be a bit unpleasant.

"I had no knowledge of whether he was seeking help for his drink problem.

"He never mentioned taking his own life to me."

Pathologist Dr Keith Ramesar said the body was badly decomposed but there had been no sign of cardiac disease or major bleeding on the brain.

He added, "The liver was quite yellow in colour and there was a lot of fat in the liver."

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.