A MAN died days after a minor hernia operation at the Royal Bolton Hospital, an inquest was told.

Frank Allen, aged 60, of Bridge Street, Horwich, recovered and was allowed home after the operation in October 2001. But a few days later his bowels stopped functioning and he was re-admitted to hospital.

Doctors found he had low blood pressure and there was nothing they could do to repair his bowel.

The inquest was told the bowel condition had been caused by ischaemia, a complaint causing a shortage of blood.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Allen had been suffering from heart disease and the cause of death was small bowel ischaemia. Coroner Jennifer Leeming was satisfied Mr Allen had died of natural causes.