Mr Vincent Biriny (27) died when he tripped and banged his head on the kerb outside the house in Accrington Old Road where the party was held on New Year's Eve.

Police at first treated the incident as unexplained, but no charges were ever brought. The former Towneley High pupil and dad-of-two died in the Royal Preston Hospital on January 5th when his family had were to make the decision to turn off his life support machine.

Mr Biriny, who worked as an electrician at Stannard Homes, split his time between his mother Linda's home in Nairne Street and a house in Comrie Crescent.

An inquest heard how there had been a row at the party between Mr Biriny and a 16-year-old boy who he chased out of the house.

Miss Christine Ainsworth, whose house the party was held at, told the inquest her friend Mr Biriny had arrived with his brothers, Adam and Michael. She said: "It was a good night and everything was going fine until later on. It was about 12-45 a.m. when trouble started and I saw Vincent running outside chasing the 16-year-old. I saw him fall about 100 yards down the street."

The inquest also heard from another 16-year-old boy at the party who saw the chase. He said Mr Biriny fell first after squeezing through two parked cars and fell a second time on the street after swinging a punch and missing the 16-year-old.

Brother Mr Michael Biriny told the hearing Vincent had complained of feeling unwell and had had "quite a bit to drink". He did not think Vincent's fall was too serious.

Dr Philip Lund conducted the post-mortem examination on Mr Biriny which found a significant fracture to the left side of his head and a brain injury on the opposite side which caused his death.

Dr Lund said: "I found evidence of two falls, but think the first fall caused the most serious injuries to the head. He fell and banged his head on the kerb after squeezing through the cars. He then had what we call a lucid moment in which he continued the chase before collapsing again. Further tests revealed a very high alcohol level in the system and also cannabis."

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death. Speaking after the inquest, father Mr Vincent Biriny senior said he was satisfied with the coroner's decision and it would offer closure to the family.