The body of a 41-year-old man was found in his High Wycombe flat surrounded by empty cans and bottles after years of suffering with alcohol dependency, an inquest heard.

Steven Craig’s body was found at his Pear Tree Court flat, in Holmer Green, at about 6pm on August 7 by his brother.

Speaking at Buckinghamshire Coroners’ Court today, police constable David Marshall, from Amersham Police Station, said he arrived at the scene with another officer at about 7pm.

Paramedics were already on the scene when police arrived.

PC Marshall told the inquest the flat was in a “really poor condition”.

He added: “There were bottles of alcohol, wine bottles, vodka bottles and bottles and cans of beer strewn all across the floor.”

The IT recruitment business owner’s body was partially on the bed and floor, said PC Marshall.

There were no signs of forced entry on the second floor flat.

Coroner Richard Hulett told the court that Mr Craig’s body was found in a scene of “mess and unpleasantness”.

Mr Hulett said: “It was, from the scene described from the officer, that this alcohol dependency was of a quite extreme type.”

The cause of death was listed as acute alcohol intoxication, with a contributing factor being cirrhosis of the liver.

A conclusion of an alcohol related death was recorded.