A HAMPSHIRE man lay dead in the family home for weeks as his mother and brother thought he was just not talking to them, an inquest heard.

The body of Leslie Kemish was discovered by police in September in a bedroom at their King's Somborne house after worried neighbours raised the alarm.

Mr Kemish, 48, lived with his mother and younger brother in Scott Close, with all three suffering from learning disabilities.

The inquest in Winchester yesterday was told that when questioned by police the pair remembered Leslie being alive a few days before the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA.

Despite the fact he was not eating, moving or speaking they continued to take him up his daily paper - not realising he had been dead for sometime. Neighbours later told the police they first became worried when Leslie missed the village's carnival at the end of August.

When the grim discovery was finally made Jean and Brian Kemish were arrested by police on suspicion of Leslie's murder.

But an investigation found no suspicious circumstances, police accepted their story and the criminal investigation was dropped.

The inquest heard that although Leslie Kemish was known to be a heavy drinker there was no medical evidence to explain his sudden death.

Central Hampshire deputy coroner Simon Burge concluded that there was no evidence Leslie had died from alcohol, drugs, foul play or an accident, and recorded an open verdict.

He said: "We do know and will never know for sure what caused Leslie Kemish's death.

"I would like to take this opportunity to record my condolences."

No members of his family were at the inquest but speaking to the Daily Echo later Jean Kemish, 72, said: "I do not know what happened earlier this year. Leslie was in a bit of a mood for a little while. I did not notice what had happened."

County social services were called in to see the family three years ago but say the family was not interested in offers of help.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council, Kate Ball said: "Social services was actively involved with the family since 1998, offering help at various times.

"We did things like setting up links with regards to the benefits agency and the CAB, and on the practical side helped with the provision of domestic items, such as a washing machine and kettle.

"You get families who live very private, isolated lives and they decline offers of help, which was the case here.

"It gets to the point where you have to appreciate that when they say no they really mean no and you have to acknowledge that decision or invade their privacy.

"The social worker in this case had a good relationship with Mr Kemish.

"The family then refused help, so social services could do no more without overstepping the mark."