AN ELDERLY recluse died in a blaze in his dilapidated home, an inquest heard.

Paul Coles' home was so full of rubbish and waste that firefighters had problems finding his body.

And experts believe the state of the property in Frankland Crescent, Lower Parkstone, Poole, contributed to the spread of the fire.

The Bournemouth inquest was told that the 71-year-old former teacher lived in a large, detached home in an exclusive area of Poole.

Neighbours had complained to the borough council about the state of the house but council officials were not able to take action.

District coroner Sheriff Payne was told that Mr Coles was a former pupil of Poole Grammar School, Bryanston public school and Oxford University.

He was forced to give up teaching in 1978 due to epilepsy.

The house had fallen into disrepair since the death of Mr Coles' mother in the early 1970s and he refused all offers of assistance.

Firefighters were alerted by neighbours on the morning of April 26, the Bournemouth inquest heard.

The ground floor of the property was extensively damaged and Mr Coles was found in a first-floor bedroom. He died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Investigations failed to reveal the exact cause of the fire although it is believed to have started in the kitchen.

Poole council's social services chief Fred Davis told the inquest: "It is tragic that Mr Coles' chosen way of life may have led to his death.

"He had received many offers of help over the years which he declined to accept."

Recording a verdict of "accidental death", Mr Payne said: "He was a person who refused all help, no matter what was offered to him. We will never know exactly what caused the fire."