A FACTORY manager who died shortly after an argument with a colleague died of heart failure, an inquest heard yesterday.

Police launched a major investigation into the death of Dennis Covell after the father-of-two, from Wood View, in Loftus, east Cleveland, was found slumped on the floor of an office at his workplace in August.

It emerged that shortly before his death, the 59-year-old had been involved in an altercation with Stephen Clark, a fellow worker at Jackson's Wholesale Meat Suppliers, at Wheatley Hill, in County Durham.

Mr Clark, a 40-year-old from Sunderland, was arrested in connection with the incident, but, after a lengthy police inquiry, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

An inquest at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that a post-mortem examination carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper gave the cause of death as coronary heart disease.

Dr Cooper said there was evidence of significant heart problems, which made Mr Covell susceptible to a cardiac arrhythmia at virtually any time, which could be brought on periods of stress.

His report, read to the hearing by Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle, added: "It is therefore, at the very least, very likely that the incident precipitated the fatal arrhythmia."

Detective Inspector Kevin Langan, of Peterlee police, said: "Our inquiries discovered no evidence of foul play and no evidence of any direct assault."

He added: "There has been an argument between the deceased and Mr Clark, but there is no evidence that any third party has committed any act that would lead to someone being prosecuted."

Recording a verdict that Mr Covell died of natural causes, Mr Tweddle said: "It was a long and detailed investigation and the police have ruled out any foul play.

"It is clear from Dr Cooper's report that there was such a degree of heart disease that death could have occurred at any time, and it would take just a little bit of extra stress to take him over the edge.

"The merest trigger was all that was required to take him over the edge, and that is what has happened here.

"There is no evidence to suggest that what has happened was Mr Clark's fault."