A MAN was found decomposed in his flat, an inquest has heard.

Andrew Paver, who had not been seen by neighbours for several weeks, was found after a concerned neighbour called the police to the property.

The identification of Mr Paver's body was difficult for the authorities because he had no known close relatives, no tattoos or scars on his body and had not been seen by a dentist for many years, Gloucestershire Area Coroner Roland Wooderston stated.

Mr Wooderson formally opened an inquest into Mr Paver's death and adjourned it to a date to be fixed.

The coroner heard a statement from his officer, Andrew Wasley, who said Mr Paver, of Fisher House, Stow, had always lived alone.

On August 14, a neighbour - who had known Mr Paver for about ten years - called the emergency services to say she had not seen him for about three weeks. 

Mr Wooderson said access was gained to Mr Paver's flat as a result of the concern of the neighbour and other locals and his body was found in a decomposed state.

A post mortem carried out by pathologist Dr Terry Jones could not determine the cause of death because of the extent of the decomposition.