THE former manager of a men's outfitters died just hours after he fell while getting dressed at his Darlington home, an inquest heard yesterday.

Thomas King, who worked as an outfitter in Darlington for 53 years, was found on the floor of his bedroom by his son, Peter, on December 28.

Mr King, 92 was still alive and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but died later that day.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr King, who had been a widower for 12 years, was severely hypothermic, and that, plus a coronary blood clot, had caused his death.

Peter King, of Parkside, Darlington, said: "He had managed to look after himself until the last few years, when I would visit him regularly to do jobs for him. He seemed fine over Christmas, so I can only think that he lost his balance as he was getting dressed."

South West Durham and Darlington Coroner Colin Penna recorded a verdict of death by misadventure