A man whose body was discovered in an alleyway by his father died a drug-related death, an inquest heard.

Jamie Gardner, 36, was found dead in a passage off Albion Road in Great Yarmouth by father Brian on the morning of February 4.

He had been to visit a friend the day before and had told his father he would be home by 3pm the day before.

An inquest held in Great Yarmouth heard how Mr Gardner was a frequent substance abuser, regularly using such drugs as heroin, crack cocaine and diazepam.

While he had been seeking help for his addictions, evidence read out on behalf of a Norfolk Recovery Partnership nurse stated that he regularly missed clinic appointments in the last two years of his life.

Giving evidence in person, PC Hudson of Gorleston police said rigor mortis had set in by the time his body was found at around 10.20am.

Yvonne Blake, area coroner, recorded a verdict of drug-related death.