A Darlington father who, it is believed, slipped to his death was trying to turn his life around.

Police yesterday named the man who tumbled down steps in Parkgate, Darlington, as 47-year-old David Beal.

Mr Beal, who had previously slept rough and been an alcoholic, had recently found a new home. He had been living in Stocksmoor Close, Firthmoor, until last week, before moving to Red Hall.

The father-of-four was moved due to rebuilding work, but it had also brought him closer to his family.

Lisa Falls, his niece, said he was starting to turn his life around and had just got a new flat on Red Hall.

"His youngest daughter had been round about six times on Tuesday morning helping him."

Mr Beal was found in the afternoon at the bottom of a stairwell, running from North Eastern Terrace, at the end of Pensbury Street.

A passer-by found him on the stairs, which are near a bus stop below the railway bridge, at about 3.15pm.

Police and paramedics were called, but Mr Beal was declared dead at the scene.

He had one son, Shaun, and three daughters, Emma, Leanne and Amy.

Ms Falls said: "He was a very outgoing, bubbly person with a very big heart. He used to come up and see us all, all of the time. It has been very upsetting."

She said he was loved by all the family, and although they knew about his previous drink problems, the news had come as a big shock.

Ms Falls said: "We knew he used to drink and my mother used to regret the day someone would say something had happened to him. It is a big shock. His children are absolutely devastated."

The scene around the incident was sealed off while officers carried out investigations. His death is not being treated as suspicious.

He had been spoken to by police officers in Darlington Railway Station about 30 minutes before the incident. The Independent Police Complaints Commission are investigating.