A 52-YEAR-OLD man has died suddenly at his home in Blackburn.

Anthony Hopkinson, who was known locally by his nickname Hoppy, passed away in Dunoon Drive, on the Shadsworth estate.

Neighbours reported seeing ambulances and police arrive at the house at around 7.15pm on Tuesday.

The fire service was also called to help paramedics and officers get into the property, although they had managed to do so by the time they arrived.

Mr Hopkinson’s death is not being treated as suspicious, police said. One neighbour said: “Hoppy was a really nice man. He had family all around him, although he lived on his own.

“He was a very friendly chap and we used to have random chit-chat.

“I was shocked to hear what happened to him.”

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said officers had been called in line with normal protocol when somebody dies at home.

She said: “We got a call about 7.15pm on Tuesday from the ambulance service to the report of the sudden death of a man in his 50s. His death was non-suspicious.”

Michael Singleton, coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, said the cause of death had not yet been determined.

He said he was waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination before deciding whether an inquest should be held.