In tomorrow's Express you can read how Mrs Janice Beneduce's moving account of how her son, Anthony (29), developed the condition, similar to gigantism, which causes the sufferer's hands, feet and jaw to grow causing great pain.

She speaks of her son's struggle after an inquest into his death.

Former St Theodore's RC High pupil Anthony led a normal life before developing the condition, known as acromegaly, which also causes a thickening of the skull and skin and which Mrs Beneduce believes led to him spiralling into drug addiction.

In October 2006 a specialist at Burnley General Hospital diagnosed Anthony as having the condition that occurs in three to four out of every million people each year.

At the time of his death in February, 2006, he had been clear of heroin for 10 months and was living with his parents in Todmorden Road, Briercliffe.

An inquest into Anthony's death was originally held last November when the cause of death was given as morphine and alcohol toxicity despite him ingesting only a very small amount. When told of Anthony's condition later, the pathologist said any morphine would put acromegaly suffers in a coma.

The latest inquest heard how Anthony died in the house of the late Jane Payne (29) in Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, whose disappearance in March 2006 led to a massive police search until her body was found near Thursden Valley picnic site 43 days later.

Jane's boyfriend Mr Kevin Feeney was arrested on suspicion of Jane's murder, but was later released without charge. He was also present at the house when Mr Beneduce died and was interviewed by police in connection with his death.

Mrs Beneduce told the hearing her son had only left her house twice in the five months before his death. Doctors found an injection point in his right hand but Mrs Beneduce told the inquest her son was right-handed and couldn't have injected himself.

Giving evidence, Mr Feeney told the hearing he had returned to the house from the shop when Mr Beneduce collapsed and denied allegations he injected Mr Beneduce with heroin.

On behalf of the family, solicitor Mr Geoff Ireland asked Mr Feeney why he had cleaned the house of drugs paraphernalia before police arrived. Mr Feeney replied Jane "had a daughter and did not want those kind of things around the house".

Recording an open verdict, East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said: "There is a suspicion he was injected by a third party but this has never been proved. I, therefore, have to record an open verdict."