A man from Radcliffe died after falling down stairs, an inquest has heard.

James Maroney died aged 71 at Royal Bolton Hospital on April 27 this year.

The opening of his inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court heard how Mr Maroney, of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, was a retired British Gas engineer.

Police coroner officer Emma Campbell told the court how Mr Maroney was admitted to the Royal Bolton on April 13, after a "fall down stairs" on April 11.

She said: “He had four rib fractures, undiagnosed COPD and a collapsed lung.”

Mr Maroney died two weeks after his admittance to the hospital.

Coroner Matthew Cox adjourned the inquest, with the date for the full inquest yet to be confirmed.

He asked for information to be provided by the Royal Bolton.