THE LETHAL power of heroin was highlighted at an inquest in to the death of an Atherton man.

After hearing evidence at Leigh Town Hall, coroner Mr Aidan Cotter recorded a verdict that 40-year-old Stephen Nowell, who was found collapsed in his ground floor Devonshire Road flat on the Hag Fold estate, died as a result of heroin abuse.

"This is unfortunately yet another person who has died in this area from the abuse of this drug. It is abundantly clear that small amounts of heroin can kill."

A statement by Mr Nowell's sister, Melvine Jones, was read out revealing Leigh-born Mr Nowell had spent 15 years in Australia and had experimented with mild drugs and had continued to use "soft" drugs like cannabis but she did not think he used "hard" drugs.

He had been treated for schizophrenia and was awaiting a hernia operation.

A friend, Darren Lee, of Railway Street, Atherton, said he had known Mr Nowell for 17 years and shortly before his death had lodged in his flat.

Mr Lee said: "He had gone on about dying and said he couldn't wait for the keys to open to the magical golden gates of heaven. He seemed confused.

"I heard from other people he had planned to kill himself when he was 40."

One day last August Mr Lee returned to the flat shortly after midday to find his friend in a semi-conscious state.

Concerned by his intermittent breathing Mr Lee tried to wake him then called an ambulance.

PC Paul Winning said Mr Nowell was found in the rear bedroom of a dirty, unkempt flat littered with empty beer cans and bottles. He removed 21 tablets from the scene and empty boxes which had contained medication but found no evidence of drug abuse.

Pathologist Dr David Barker said tests showed Mr Nowell must have taken morphine in some form in a concentration level often associated with "recreational or therapeutic use".

Summing up the coroner said: "Mr Nowell did take heroin and it did cause his death -- I discount entirely that he took his own life."