AN EAST Lancashire man who fell seven floors from a hotel balcony in Thailand has died.

Lee Middleton, 34, of the Skipton Road area of Colne, underwent two bain operations but has died in hospital in the Thai capital Bangkok.

His mother Heather Britner, of Riverway, Barrowford, has paid tribute to her son and said it was not known why he had fallen from the balcony in the city.

His family have said that Mr Middleton, who left for the month-long holiday on December 11, sent a text message to friends earlier in his stay saying that he had got in trouble with the local mafia.

The factory worker, who had travelled alone but meet up with friends living in Thailand, later sent another message via text to say he was okay.

Police initially said that Mr Middleton's death was being treated as suicide - a claim denied by his family.

But officers have told the family that the fall was now being treated as an accident.

Mrs Britner, who works at Boundary Mills, Colne, said her son was staying at Chaplin's Bar hotel, in the resort of Pattaya, where he had visited for the previous three years.

She said that following an argument in a bar between an Irishman and two Thai men Mr Middleton left for another hotel.

He fell from the balcony of this hotel, the identity of which has not been revealed, on December 17.

Mr Middleton - who was also in Thailand when the tsunami which killed 230,000 people struck on Boxing Day 2004 - suffered severe head injuries including a fractured skull.

He died on Saturday.

Mrs Britner said her son was a keen traveller and worked 12 -hour shifts at Wardle Storeys factory, Earby, to save up for regular holidays to Thailand.

She said: "He was just the best son and my only son. Everybody liked him and I have had lots of people phoning up.

"He lived a quiet life and lived for his travels. He was doing something he loved but unfortunately his travels have taken him away.

"He worked every hour he got to save up for his travels. He lived his life reading books and travelling. He was just an everyday guy."

Mrs Britner said last week she was given a £5,000 medical bill from doctors for just three days worth of treatment, as well as quotes that it would cost her up to £3,000 to fly her son home for a funeral if he died.

His body is expected to be flown home in the next few days.

She said: "My son had gone away for Christmas and now we just want him home. Hopefully he will be coming back soon then we can grieve.

"Up to now Lee's death it is still being investigated but on his medical records it is saying accidental.

"He was there when the tsunami happened. I spent several days worrying then. I could accept that but not this."

As a youngster Mr Middleton was a member of the Army Cadet Force in Brierfield and played football for the Great Marsden Hotel, in Nelson.

Mr Middleton had also travelled to Australia, Cuba and Mexico.