A MAN was found dead just five months after his baby sister had died, leaving the devastated family 'in total shock'.

Anthony Freeman, aged 23, died in his flat at Muamba House in Duke Street on Wednesday, September 13.

Officials at the hostel discovered him after hearing his music playing after he had not been seen leaving the apartment since the previous Saturday. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

The shocking loss to the family including mother Lorraine Barlow, who is currently staying with her son Carl in Haydock Street, came after Mrs Barlow's three-month-old baby Lucy died at the house in Blackpool she shares with her husband, George.

Mrs Barlow said: "It's been terrible. I can't sleep, my depression has gone through the roof. It is just a shock, I can not believe it. Two deaths in five months.

"I have lost my youngest and my eldest. It is just devastating, we are all in total shock. I just want them back. We just can't believe it."

According to Mrs Barlow, Anthony had been suffering from severe depression and was unemployed but was turning his life around and looking for a job.

She said: "He was physically healthy and he was such a lovely lad. He was looking for work and had changed his life around.

"He got a bit mischievous sometimes but he was just a normal lad. You always had to give in to him because he had this cheeky smile."

Lucy died on April 3 when she was found unconscious by Mrs Barlow when she went to feed her.

Anthony's funeral will be held at Bolton Parish Church at noon on October 13 before a burial at Heaton Cemetery.

Lucy was cremated following her funeral and Mrs Barlow said she wishes to place her ashes with Anthony when he is buried.

Friends of the family have donated hundreds of pounds towards funeral costs.