A POPULAR comic and poet died in hospital after suffering a heart attack and possible brain damage, an inquest was told.

Richard McFarlane, known as Hovis Presley, was treated for a series of infections at the Royal Bolton Hospital before he died in June last year.

Bolton Coroner's Court heard that Mr McFarlane was a manic depressive and had been arrested by police days earlier following a report from a neighbour that he was smashing up his home in Paderborn Court, Bolton.

He was admitted to hospital when a police surgeon raised concern over his mental state and a cut inside his mouth.

Dr Brian Bradley, a consultant at the hospital, told the inquest that Mr McFarlane was in an agitated state and suffering from a high temperature, low oxygen levels and an apparent infection when he was admitted.

He was later transferred to the intensive care unit at Fairfield Hospital, Bury. He was said to be "breathing spontaneously" when he returned to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

He suffered a heart attack days later and underwent resuscitation, but died.

Dr Bradley said: "He wasn't very responsive. He wasn't really communicating. The possibilities are that at some point either prior to or during the resuscitation procedure, his oxygen levels were low and it might be that he suffered some brain damage as a result.

"He was getting infection after infection. As time went on, it became less and less likely that he was going to improve."

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "It's not often I carry out an inquest into the death of someone I feel I knew. I did not meet Hovis personally, but I've treasured his talent.

"I feel that his loss is a loss not just to his family but, in a way, to us all because he had so much to offer."

Mrs Leeming also asked for police to examine why it took two-and-a-half hours for the police surgeon to attend to Mr McFarlane after he was held in custody.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr McFarlane's wife, Winifred, said: "The whole family is very grateful to all his friends who have done so much for him.

"Sales of his books and the events they have held in his memory have raised over £15,000 for charity.

"It's nice to hear such comforting words from the coroner and nice to know that even after he died, he is able to do some good."