A PARK-KEEPER lay dead in his flat for two weeks before his body was discovered.

Raymond Paice, 59, was found on his bedroom floor when police broke into his home in Poole Court, Lewisham.

The alarm was raised by his neighbours on November 16 last year after they had not seen him for two weeks.

PC Fiona Thompson, who was one of the officers who discovered his body, said: "He was found on his bedroom floor. I could see him through the letter box.

"He was on his back. There were no signs of violence or assault. His right leg was tucked under his bottom, it was as though he had fallen.

"There were no suspicious circumstances."

The inquest at Southwark Coroner's Court today was attended by Mr Paice's son, Tony and his former wife, Jackie.

Mr Paice, who worked at Lewisham's Ladywell running track, lived alone.

He had a history of alcohol problems and was prone to falls.

Pathologist Dr Michael Heath told the hearing: "Due to the advanced state of decomposition internally, the cause of death could not be ascertained.

"There was no evidence of third party involvement."

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, coroner John Sampson said: "It is a great shame that there's nothing anyone can do with drink until the person who drinks says 'I've had enough, I want to make changes'."