Loving tributes from the family of a carpenter found dead in his Hampton home last year were read by a coroner on Wednesday, May 20.

"Charming and kind" Paul Clark, 42, was discovered by a friend on the morning of October 1, 2014, in Stewart Close, and was declared dead at the scene by police officers who attended.

A toxicology report showed toxic levels of morphine and benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite of cocaine, were found in his system, along with a quantity of ethanol.

A statement from Mr Clark’s friend said the pair had bought heroin and crack cocaine in Hampton Hill High Street on September 30, and had consumed a quantity of beer.

Mr Clark’s elder sister, Deborah, said her brother struggled with addiction for most of his life but made the decision to stop taking heroin when a relationship of 18 years came to an end.

She said Mr Clark was able wean himself off the drug without medical assistance and was clean of heroin for two-and-a-half years before his death. He was regularly tested at the Richmond Centre while on his methadone programme.

Ms Clark said: "Each year we always celebrated the anniversary of the start of his journey to recovery. We were very proud of him."

Ms Clark said her brother’s rock was their mother, who died two years ago of lung cancer, and he struggled with the grief that followed her death.

She said: "We believe that losing his mum caused Paul’s recent relapse and ultimately his death."

Mr Clark became reliant on alcohol once he was clear of heroin and went into rehab to fight his addiction. Ms Clark said: "He wanted to be free from dependence on drink, regain his driving licence and once again be able to go to work and earn a living."

Paul Clark had a love of motorbikes, as well as fishing, dancing and cooking.

Ms Clark said: "Paul was fun, charming, kind, fiercely loyal and loveable, the life and soul of every family gathering.

"He was respectful, loving and protective of his family and those around him. He was loved by all who knew him well."

Mr Clark is survived by his sisters, Deborah, Nicola and Ashlie, two sons, two nephews and a niece.

The postmortem examination showed no external marks or injuries that may have contributed to his death.

Senior coroner for West London Chinyere Inyama ruled Mr Clark died from a combination of intoxication and respiration difficulty.