A cleaning firm is to be asked to explain why a heroin addict was locked all-night in public toilets after giving himself a lethal injection.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, owner of the Moore Street toilets in Redcar, wants a meeting with French-owned contractor, Sodhexo, to get an explanation.

Lee Nicholas, 24, from Skelton, injected himself with a lethal dose of heroin in a cubicle in the block of seaside toilets last October. His body was found by a cleaner the following day.

Council leader Coun David Walsh said that one reason the tragedy may have occurred is that staff had, on other occasions, suffered violence and intimidation from drug users using the toilets.

He said: "I suspect this may be one reason this tragedy occurred. But obviously, to prevent a repeat, we have to sit down with the contractor to see how we can make sure things of this kind don't happen again. That may require supporting staff with help from the police and community wardens."

The council is also urging the Lord Chancellor's Office to investigate why it took Teesside Coroner's Court ten months to hold an inquest into Mr Nicholas's death.

"In a case like this authorities such as ours are left in a situation of having to wait and see what the coroner has to say because of the legal implications that arise," said Coun Walsh.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded a verdict of misadventure last week.

He told the inquest: "It would have been better for all the cubicles to have been checked, whatever the risks of confrontation are to contractors. We know in this case it would not have made a difference in saving Lee's life; but it would have meant that he would have been found sooner.