A former Litton parish councillor died after suffering head wounds following at accidental fall at his home.

Keith Shepherd, who was 71, was found dead at his Churchgate House home in Litton on March 3, and senior coroner for Somerset Tony Williams concluded the inquest into Mr Shepherd's death today (June 17).

Mr Williams recorded a finding of accidental death following a fall where Mr Shepherd sustained a fatal head injury.

Mr Shepherd was found on his drive by postman Philip Chambers, and shortly afterwards Mr Shepherd's former wife and daughter arrived as they had been due to visit.

The police reported there were no suspicious circumstances concerning the death and the inquest heard that Mr Shepherd had been in good spirits in the weeks and months leading up to his death.

The inquest heard that Mr Shepherd had been drinking with friends in the nearby Litton pub the evening before, and he had walked home rather than drive.

A post mortem had found that he had 173mg of alcohol in his blood, with the legal driving limit being 80mg.

The police had found his wallet in the house and a jogger had found his mobile phone in the road near to be pub, which they believed he had dropped on his walk back.

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One of Mr Shepherd's recycling bins had been put out on the road, but not the other two.

Mr Shepherd lived on his own, but had a partner. He leaves three children and three grandsons.

One of his daughters Samantha praised her father in a statement read out at the inquest saying he was a popular and well-liked man, who was a former member of Litton Parish Council and who enjoyed travelling and sports.