A 25-YEAR-OLD man died while drinking with friends, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Lyon lived in Leeds, but was in Hartlepool for a family celebration when he collapsed last Wednesday night.

Yesterday's inquest was adjourned for further pathologist reports in an attempt to establish the cause of his death at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Cocaine or other serious drug use has already been ruled out and early indicators suggest that Mr Lyon had not drunk enough alcohol to kill him.

Mr Lyon, an electrician, was engaged to his childhood sweetheart, who he had known for ten years. He also leaves his parents, Alison and Alex Lyon, of Loyalty Court, Hartlepool, and two sisters, Yvonne and Jo.

Speaking after the opening of the inquest, Mr Lyon's father said it was a terrible tragedy, but was too upset to say more.

Hartlepool Coroner Malcolm Donnelly said: "There was quite a high alcohol rating, but I don't think it was sufficiently high to account for his death. However, I am not a doctor and I will adjourn this inquest until we have more information about what took Christopher away."

Mr Lyon spent much of his childhood in Sowerby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where he lived with his family in Front Street.

His funeral will be held at Stranton Church, Hartlepool, at 12.20pm on Thursday.