AN ALCOHOLIC man lived with the decomposing body of his friend for a week before telling anyone he was dead, an inquest heard.

Alan Hearn bought newspapers and pizza and even used Wayne Whitehouse's bank card to withdraw cash after his death, Dorset coroner Sheriff Payne was told.

Mr Hearn, 61, was sleeping on the floor in the Boscombe bedsit he shared with 47-year-old Wayne Whitehouse, also a known alcoholic.

On April 12 this year he told an acquaintance he believed Mr Whitehouse was dead and the acquaintance went to the Crabton Close Road address, the Bournemouth inquest heard.

Neighbours heard her screaming and went to the ground floor bedsit where Mr Whitehouse's body was face-up on the sofa.

Inquiries revealed Mr Whitehouse had not been seen in public for a week and his body was badly decomposed.

A post mortem examination revealed he had an alcohol level of 412 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit for driving is 80 - and the cause of death was given as acute alcohol poisoning.

Detective Inspector Andrew Dilworth said a police investigation was launched in relation to the use of Mr Whitehouse's bank card to withdraw £260 and Mr Hearn's failure to notify the relevant authorities of the death.

He said Mr Hearn knew the PIN for Mr Whitehouse's card and that it appeared to be normal practice that they used each other's money.

He also said Mr Hearn was extremely intoxicated when police became involved in the case and added: "He thought he had lawful access to the money - I do not believe that he fully appreciated the circumstances.

"He said they were very good friends and they were dependent on each other. He was intoxicated and incoherent and said he had been watching DVDs with him that morning."

DI Dilworth said a decision was taken that it was not in the public interest to pursue any criminal matters.

Recording a verdict that Mr Whitehouse died as a consequence of the abuse of alcohol, Mr Payne said: "It is clear that they both drank to excess on a regular basis.

"Mr Hearn did not appreciate the death or chose to ignore it for a period of up to a week."