AN alcoholic died in Bolton town centre from health problems linked to his drinking, an inquest heard.

Craig Morris, aged 40, of St Helens Road, Daubhill, drank up to nine pints of cider a day towards the end of his life and had been warned that his drinking could kill him. Shoppers tried in vain to resuscitate him after he was found collapsed after a seizure in Newport Street on February 20. The unmarried father-of-two worked as a warehouseman for Riva Electronics on the Wingates Industrial Estate for 20 years but was on sick leave at the time of his death.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court heard Mr Morris, who grew up in Deane, had tried to stop drinking several times, and his friends had even offered to pay for treatment.

He regularly visited medical experts for help but had fallen back into alcohol dependence.

His twin brother, Kevin, and sister, Kerry, were at the inquest along with his parents, Thomas and Florence Morris, of Duchess Walk, Deane.

Mrs Morris said: “We were warned about his drinking. I went with Craig twice a day to the hospital when he did attend appointments.

“He could not help drinking. He said it was a demon inside him.”

His father said: “We stood by Craig and looked after him, despite his claims that his family wasn’t speaking to him and he had no money.

“He also had a lot of good friends. But he just couldn’t stop drinking at the end.”

The inquest heard Mr Morris had been dependent on drink for years to ease anxiety and help him to relax.

By early 2011 he admitted drinking more than ever, which could be between seven and nine pints of cider a day.

He became homeless after arguing with his partner.

Pathologist Dr Emil Salmo said Mr Morris had severe liver problems, but he was not under the influence of alcohol when he had the seizure.

Deputy coroner Alan Walsh recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

He said: “It’s a tragedy that a 40-year-old should no longer be here. He worked for Riva for 20 years and was a popular man.

“I’ve no doubt that everyone, including his family and friends, did as much as they could to help.”