A HEREFORD man's death went undiscovered for more than a year, an inquest has heard.

Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard that James Vincent Lawrence, 53, of Brockington Drive, Tupsley, was found dead in his home by police on February 23.

Officers were called to the address after concerns were raised about Mr Lawrence, who had not been seen for approximately 12 months.

After officers attending the property received no response from Mr Lawrence, they forced their way into the home and found a badly decomposed body.

The inquest heard that Mr Lawrence, who had lived alone at the property since the deaths of his parents, was a known recluse who only left his house in the late evening to go shopping for groceries.

The former administration assistant was known to mental health services and was last visited by police and health workers in 2017 after concerns for his welfare were raised.

He was on that occasion taken to Hereford's Stonebow Unit.

In 2018, it was indicated by services that Mr Lawrence did not answer his door or open letters.

Family and friends who came forward following a press appeal in the Hereford Times confirmed that Mr Lawrence had a history of mental health issues and chose to live as a recluse, only leaving the house at night.

An autopsy revealed that Mr Lawrence had significant coronary occlusion indicative of ischaemic heart disease.

Coroner Mark Bricknell concluded that Mr Lawrence died from ischaemic heart disease and coronary occlusion and recorded a natural death.