A 90-YEAR-OLD Worcester man died after accidentally drinking bubble bath at a residential home.

Ernest Brooks died in the city's Ronkswood Hospital on Saturday, December 8, after drinking the bubble bath four days earlier at the privately-owned Cranham residential home, in Warndon.

Worcestershire County Council, which supervises the inspection of homes, is conducting an investigation into the death of Mr Brooks.

An inquest into his death was also opened and adjourned by Worcestershire coroner Victor Round at Kidderminster Town Hall yesterday.

"Everyone involved is saddened by this. We're working with the management of the home and environmental health officers in investigating this matter," said a spokesman for the county council.

The home was sold to Heart of England Housing and Care - part of South Warwickshire Housing Association - in July, 1999.

Cranham residential home had previously been owned by Worcestershire County Council, which has sold off all its residential homes for the elderly to other organisations.

It specialises in caring for up to 45 elderly people with mental health problems and physical disabilities, and residents pay £280 a week for their care.

The county council last inspected the home in September this year, when inspectors concluded that staff at the home were under pressure and it was in a poor state of repair in parts.