A footballer's body was discovered in a beck at the end of his garden just days before Christmas, an inquest was told.

Liam Daly, of West End Terrace, Guiseley, died of hypothermia on December 22 after a night out with friends in Bradford.

It is believed the 30-year-old had been urinating when he slipped and fell.

Assistant deputy coroner Alan Benstock told the inquest at Leeds Coroner's Court yesterday that it was one of the saddest cases he had ever seen.

"A young man going out, like the vast majority of the population would have been doing on that night, two days before Christmas. It is a great tragedy," he said.

Liam had been bowling with colleagues from Calor Gas suppliers Towler and Staines, with whom he was a driver, and had gone to a Chinese restaurant.

The inquest was told he had a lot to drink and a close friend of 20 years, Gareth Turbitt, took him home in a taxi at midnight. His wife Catherine was spending the night at her sister's.

Liam's body was discovered at 9.30am the next day by a neighbour.

Detective Inspector Ian Green, of Weetwood Police, said: "Gareth knocked on the door because he expected Catherine to be there. Then they tried to use the keys to open the door but put the wrong key in the lock.

"Liam insisted he was OK and Gareth returned to Brad-ford.

"We confirmed with Cather-ine that when Liam was caught short on the way home he would use the stream to urinate in. He may well have been doing that and stumbled and rolled down the shallow bank.

"There were no suspicious circumstances."

Pathologist Dr Kenneth Sharrock said Mr Daly had severe waterlogging of the lungs but ruled out drowning as the cause of death.

"The likely reason he died was that he was intoxicated and when he ended up in the stream he became hypothermic due to the alcohol," he said.

Mr Benstock recorded a verdict of accidental death.

"He was clearly a fit happy, young man who was supported by a loving wife," he said.

"He was out enjoying himself with colleagues and had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

"And to the credit of his colleagues, they attempted to make sure he got home safely.

"None of them could have anticipated the turnout of events."