A MAN who took heroin to combat his abdominal pain died of a drug overdose, an inquest concluded.

Martin Watkins, 51, of Ryelands Road, Leominster, was at a friend's property when he took the drug and fell asleep.

An ambulance was called at 8.17pm on April 15, after he awoke in a semi-conscious state. Despite efforts from ambulance and hospital staff he was unresponsive to treatment and died at 12.45pm on April 16.

At an inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on Monday, county coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a verdict of drug related death.

"I'm satisfied he didn't intend to take his own life," concluded Mr Bricknell.

"He died from a heroin overdose and we don't know for sure whether he had tolerance to heroin. It's probable the amount would have had a more severe effect than expected."

Doctor Christopher Madden said that the amount of heroin inside Mr Watkins was significant enough to be fatal. Dr Clair Cathcart, of Westfield Surgery, in Leominster added that Mr Watkins was receiving daily methadone from the drug addiction services and had previously been treated for stomach pains.

Jan Drury, a close friend, said that Mr Watkins had previously been treated at hospital for chest and abdominal pains.

They had returned from a holiday in Borth when Mr Watkins had left her property to go for a walk on April 14.

"I believe he didn't take drugs since last September," said Miss Drury.

"He said to stop the pain was the only reason. The pain in his stomach was so intense that was the only thing to stop the pain."