THE death of a Bewsey man, who dropped dead moments after ordering a pint in his local pub, has been described as a mystery.

Deputy coroner for Cheshire, Dr Janet Napier said the cause of Lesley Tarburton's sudden death was "all a bit of a mystery" during his inquest on Thursday.

The 62-year-old of Halford Avenue, collapsed while standing at the bar of the Brooklands on February 9, on Poplars Avenue, Orford.

He died at the scene.

Francis Hunt, the pub's licensee, said: "He had taken about an inch off his pint when he just crumpled on the floor."

Dr Napier recorded a verdict of unascertainable death by natural causes, after medical investigations failed to find a reason.

At the hearing, Mr Tarburton, a groundsman at Antrobus Golf Club, Northwich, was described by his sister, Muriel, as an active outdoor type who enjoyed fishing.

"I'd seen him half an hour before when he left the house to go to a bowls meeting. When the policeman arrived and said Les was dead it just knocked the stuffing out of me."

The inquest heard how the pair had been close and saw each other every day, as Mrs Hill helped care for a second brother who had a long-term illness and lived with Mr Tarburton.

Dr Napier added: "The family got the most horrendous shock. He was obviously a man who enjoyed life. I have completely ruled out suspicious circumstances."