The sudden death of a much-loved father-of-two remains shrouded in mystery.

Builder Barry McCadden, of Linacre Avenue, Sprowston, was just 34 when he died on December 23 last year.

An inquest yesterday heard that he had been on a Christmas night out with work colleagues and returned home at about 2am.

He had been drinking pints of lager and shots of sambuca, a written statement from his widow said, and went to sleep downstairs.

She heard a noise as if somebody was struggling to breathe in the morning, and found her husband unresponsive.

Paramedics could not save Mr McCadden and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr McCadden had previously complained of stomach cramps while drinking, his widow added. A post-mortem report found his blood alcohol level was 130mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The drink-drive limit is 80mg.

The medical cause of death could not be ascertained, there was no evidence of other drugs and police found no suspicious circumstances.

'It's unsatisfactory for all concerned,' said assistant coroner Nicholas Holroyd.

He offered his condolences to the family and recorded a short narrative conclusion.

'Mr McCadden died at home on December 23, 2015,' he said. 'He had returned home earlier that day moderately intoxicated with alcohol.

'He retired to bed and at around 7am he awoke but was found unresponsive by his wife and was pronounced deceased at 7.50am.'

Friends are planning a family fun day to raise money for Mr McCadden's sons' trust funds.

His friend, Katy Whitmore, of Witard Road, Heartsease, described Mr McCadden as the 'life and soul of any party' who was on the dance floor, and the bubbly one who would make everyone laugh.

She added that he was always well kempt, and had a passion for motorsports.

The fun day will be held at the Sprowston Sports and Social Club from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, July 24, and will include handcraft stalls, inflatables, reptiles, traditional games, face painting and glitter tattoos.

For more information, direct message Mrs Whitmore on Facebook at facebook.com/katy.woollsey