A dead man lay undiscovered for weeks at his Oxford home, an inquest heard.

The body of Frederick Howes, 64, was so decomposed when it was found that specialists from Thames Valley Police's underwater team had to be called in to remove it.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard police were called to his flat in Champion Way, Littlemore, on October 3 last year.

Pc Daniel Hughes said neighbours had not seen Mr Howes for weeks and had noticed a "foul smell" from his flat.

Mr Howes, a former bus driver who separated from his wife last April, was found lying against the front door.

Medical records showed he was a heavy drinker who had been treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital on August 28 after falling in the street. He was discharged the next day and is believed to have died soon after arriving home.

Consultant pathologist Dr Ian Buley said: "The state of decomposition was so marked that a formal identification was impossible."

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: "The supposition is that he died on his return from hospital. In the circumstances, I can only record an open verdict."