THE body of a reclusive former prisoner of war was not found for two weeks, an inquest heard.

William Williamson, 85, was discovered lying face down on the floor after a neighbour alerted police.

On December 1, Southwark Coroner's Court heard doctors could not find a cause of death but there were no suspicious circumstances.

Officers found a large pile of unopened mail as they entered Mr Williamson's home in Bedivere Road, Downham, in July this year.

PC Graham Dowden told the court: "When we entered the premises we checked all the rooms.

"The body was then discovered in the living room."

Neighbour June Biggs said she had not seen Mr Williamson for at least two weeks before raising the alarm on July 6.

Recording an open verdict, coroner Andrew Walker, said: "I have little choice because the evidence is such that it's not possible to find out what caused William Williamson to die."