AN animator who developed a cult following after broadcasting his works on the internet was found dead on his bedroom floor, an inquest heard.

Cartoonist Scott Harry Mitchell had no diagnosed medical conditions and he was described as "fit and well" by members of his family, the hearing was told.

But his mother revealed that her husband had suffered three heart attacks and had angina and both her sons had previously been recommended to have heart checks.

Pathologist Richard Prescott said despite exhaustive tests he had been unable to establish a medical cause of death but he said that having heard of the family history of heart problems this was a possible cause.

The Blackburn animator's surreal and satirical computerised sketches became the most popular on the Channel Four website "4 Laughs."

He said his off-the-wall creations - under the name Yielding - were fuelled by a northern sense of humour and outlook that he claimed had a particularly hard edge to it.

He said that as a sufferer of Asperger's Syndrome, he had been inspired and inhibited by this mental illness, which has similar traits to autism.

The body of Mr Mitchell, 35, was discovered at his home in Yates Fold, by his mother, Doreen, who went to his home on July 26 after she hadn't been able to contact him on the phone.

Mrs Mitchell said her son had always been a "bit of a loner" who had found it more and more difficult to mix with other people.

"If he had to go out and meet other people he had to build himself up to it," said Mrs Mitchell.

Her other son, Patrick, told the inquest that in the course of his work Scott would often spend as much as 20 hours sat at his computer.

The medical cause of death was given as unascertained, and coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of natural causes.