A man who had been drinking for three days hanged himself accidentally after passing out at the bottom of his stairs with his head through the handle of a friend’s handbag.

A coroner heard that Mike McLeod had been on a three-day drink and drugs session with friends during which he had virtually no sleep.

Cornwall assistant coroner Guy Davies said: "He had been binge drinking and taking controlled and illicit drugs for three days and was excessively sleep deprived during that entire three-day period.

"My conclusion is likely what happened is that Mike was sat at the foot of the stairs resting his head on the banister and then passed out.

"Somehow his head and neck have become entangled in the handbag strap and he strangled himself while unconscious through the drink and drugs and excessive sleep deprivation.

"It was a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act on his part."

Family and friends at the inquest at Cornwall Coroner's Court heard that 34-year-old Mike was a 'very well-known and well liked' man who was 'kind, loving and honest'.

The father of one was the 'life and soul' and at the 'centre of the party' but had issues with binge drinking - but his death at his home in Newquay, Cornwall, on Monday February 20 this year was described an utter shock.

Mike had been taking drink and drugs with friendMatthew Brown-Jackson, who told the inquest that they had downed ten litres of spirits during the weekend as well as cocaine and controlled drugs.

The Truro inquest heard that Mr Brown-Jackson passed out but Mike only had a very brief nap on a sofa during the three-day session.

Det Con Lewis Harrison said family and friends believed it was a 'tragic accident rather than a deliberate act' and the inquest heard Mike had been in a 'jovial and happy' mood.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a post-mortem confirmed Mike died from hanging, was 2.5 times the legal drink drive limit and had taken a cocktail of drugs.

Coroner Mr Davies said Mike died from his own actions but ruled out suicide saying Mike had plans for the future with his partner with whom he was in a loving relationship.

Conclusion: Accident.