A PENSIONER's death went unnoticed for several days as his body decomposed, an inquest heard.

Henry Horst, 78, of Somers Road, was severely ill with pancreatic cancer and died in bed, wrapped in an electric blanket, Walthamstow Magistrates Court heard today.

A neighbour finally contacted the authorities on February 2 after not seeing Mr Horst for a while and paramedics found the body shortly before 6.30pm.

Mr Horst never married and his only family was a cousin, Dorothy.

Janice Barrett, a friend of Mr Horst said: “He was an elegant and charming man, who loved opera and travelling the world”

As the body had decomposed a post-mortem was unable to ascertain the precise cause of death.

Coroner Dr William Dolman recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.