AN amateur body-builder pumped himself so full of steroids that his heart was almost twice the normal size, an inquest was told yesterday.

But, although 33-year-old Stephen Fraser had taken the honours at competitions around the UK, the hearing in Harrogate was told that his will to win probably cost him his life.

Giving evidence, his partner Sarah Horsley, told Coroner Geoff Fell that Mr Fraser used steroids as part of his preparation for an event.

"They are an accepted part of the sport," she said. "Everyone knows people use them, it wouldn't be the same if they didn't."

She also confirmed Mr Fraser, of Stripe Lane, Hartwith, North Yorkshire, sometimes took amphetamines to keep him going after a hard day's work as the self-employed driver of a cement lorry.

"All he wanted to do was be sure there was going to be something to hand on to his kids," she said.

"He knew they struggled with school, so he was driven to provide something for them."

Ms Horsley said Mr Fraser had smoked since he was 14, paid little attention to his diet and had told her there was a history of high blood pressure in his family.

However, pathologist at Harrogate District Hospital, Dr Carl Gray, said that, in his view, Mr Fraser's death at such an early age was more likely to be the consequence of his use of steroids.

A post-mortem examination showed that some of the arteries around Mr Fraser's heart had been reduced in width by up to 90 per cent.

Not enough blood was being pumped around his body as a result.

Although Mr Fraser was originally admitted to Harrogate District Hospital with breathing difficulties, the cause of his death, in October last year, was given as multiple organ failure.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Mr Fell accepted that Mr Fraser may have believed he could control his use of steroids and that he understood the effects they could have.

However, quoting the National Sporting Centre's John Brewer, Mr Fell said: "I can put it no better than he did when he said that health risks associated with steroids are as serious as they can be.

"The benefits need to be offset against the risks of an early grave."