The badly decomposed body of John Peter Widdowson was discovered in the lounge of the flat in Seaside on November 5.

An inquest into the 52-year-old's death heard it was not clear when or how Mr Widdowson died.

But coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death from natural causes and said it was likely he died from the effects of long-term heavy drinking.

Mr Widdowson, known to all as Peter, had lived alone in the flat in Seaside since July 2006.

He had not been seen for several weeks and neighbour Emily de Guingand raised the alarm after noticing windows in Mr Widdowson's flat were covered in flies.

PC Paul Warren, who attended the scene, said there was a collection of empty wine bottles in the lounge which he said, in total, 'could have added up to 20 litres'.

Mr Widdowson's brother, David, said Peter was a 'sound and reliable man, willing to help others' and was also a regular at the Eastbourne Working Men's Club.

He said Peter had been made redundant from a printing firm after 25 years' service due to financial troubles at the company.

Mr Widdowson's GP, Dr Scarisbrick, of the Princes Park Health Centre, said Mr Widdowson's health began to suffer in 2005.

He told the inquest, "It became clear alcohol was the source of his problems."

Mr Widdowson later suffered a seizure due to alcohol withdrawal but Dr Scarisbrick said there had been no history of attempts to self-harm or commit suicide.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Moffat, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said it was not possible to ascertain how Mr Widdowson died.

Coroner Mr Craze said all evidence pointed to a death from the effects of long periods of drinking and recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.