FORMER Royal Navy engineer Peter O'Dell was the life and soul of every party and "had a girl in every port".But the inquest into his death heard that he had spiralled into a history of alcoholism and had died as a result of an epileptic seizure.

FORMER Royal Navy engineer Peter O'Dell was the life and soul of every party and "had a girl in every port".

But the inquest into his death heard that he had spiralled into a history of alcoholism and had died as a result of an epileptic seizure.

The 77-year-old, of Peppercorn Way, Ipswich, was found dead on the floor of his home at around 10.20am on August 10.

His inquest, held at County Hall, on St Helen's Street, Ipswich, heard that he had been very "adventurous" and was a ladies' man.

His sister, Joan Mallion, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, described her brother as "a quintessential Englishman" who was "good looking" and "had a girl in every port".

Mr O'Dell's alcohol problems led to rifts that drove him away from many members of his family and some of his friends.

He attended the Peppercorn Way day centre, in Ipswich, and was described as a popular resident who would "drink in moderation".

The inquest heard that Mr O'Dell had a long history of medical problems, including arthritis, diabetes, gout and angina. He also suffered from a loss of balance and had been admitted to Ipswich Hospital on June 12 following a fall.

Coroner Peter Dean said that Mr O'Dell had died from an epileptic seizure caused by a background of chronic alcoholism.

He recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.