A retired Oxford academic who lived alone died after falling down stairs leading to his basement, an inquest heard.

Shortly before his death, Brian Miller, 76, an Emeritus Fellow and former lecturer in English at Brasenose College, Oxford, had returned to his home in Bradmore Road, Oxford, following an appendix operation.

According to Mr Michael Greenall, from the department of surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Mr Miller had made a good recovery and was discharged 14 days after his operation.

The alarm was raised on February 26 after a neighbour phoned Mr Miller and then had no answer when she went to take him a hot meal.

Dr Bernard Richards, a former colleague of Mr Miller who identified his body, described him as "a very private and solitary person".

Dr Sanjiv Manek, a consultant pathologist at the JR who carried out a post mortem, said the deceased had a gash above his left eye and bruising and fractures to his skull.

There was also evidence of heart disease and food in the lungs, which Dr Manek said could have led to the fall.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of accidental death.