A MAN drank himself to death, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mark Alderson, 39, was found in his flat in Victoria Road, Darlington.

A post-mortem examination showed that he had choked on his vomit. He had 304 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Written evidence given by his estranged wife, Christine, told how Mr Alderson had a history of depression and was prone to binge drinking.

South Durham Coroner Colin Penna, sitting at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, recorded a verdict of death by misadventure at the hearing on Tuesday.