A 29-year-old Malvern man died from alcohol abuse, an inquest was told.

Stuart Leeks, an alcoholic, collapsed and died at his Wood Farm Road home last month.

His brother David paid tribute to him, describing him as a much-loved brother, son and uncle, and said he feared the family might never get over their loss.

He said: “The family are struggling to come to terms with it and potentially we never will because he was such a big part of our lives. He was a lovely brother and son and he was a brilliant uncle to my son. It’s not something we ever envisaged having to cope with.”

Shocked friends also left heartfelt tributes on social networking site Facebook.One, Claire Aston, wrote: “At 29, your life has been taken away so early and there was so much ahead of you. You’ll always be remembered and missed.”

Tom Bethell wrote: “RIP Stu. You were a top bloke and you will be greatly missed.”

The inquest was told Mr Leeks, a single man, had been feeling unwell for three days before collapsing in the bathroom of his home at about 10am on Tuesday, September 1.

South Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said: “The evidence indicates he had been ill for three days before his death, vomiting and not eating.

“He was alcohol-dependant and drank heavily. He collapsed in the bathroom of his home and was found there by his mother and his brother David.” Mr Williams said Mr Leeks, who was unemployed, was taken to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Although a post-mortem was initially inconclusive, further tests revealed he was suffering from acute haemhorragic pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol abuse. Mr Leeks also had the underlying condition, alcoholic steatohepatitis, or inflammation of the liver.

Mr Williams passed a verdict that Mr Leeks died as a result of alcohol abuse.