An elderly West Sussex man died after he moved his chair too close to a gas fire, an inquest has been told.

Harry Lintott, 88, was found dead by firefighters at his home in Fitzalan Road.

The widower is thought to have either collapsed from heart problems just before the fire started or to have fallen trying to get out of his chair during the blaze.

Mr Lintott's step-daughter Diane Condon, of Parkside Avenue, Littlehampton, told the inquest at Worthing that her step-father always felt the cold and must have pulled his armchair closer to the fire.

Retired public works contractor Mr Lintott, who had a history of heart problems, died on November 30.

Fire brigade Station Officer John Dow told the hearing: "The distance between the fire and where the debris of his chair was found was very little.

"The debris suggested it occurred because his chair was too close to the fire. He always covered his knees with some sort of rug which could have set fire to his legs."

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone recorded a verdict of accidental death.