KEITH Burns adored his pet dog and one winter's morning was enjoying a playful 'chat' with him. Within seconds he was dead, an inquest heard.

The 47-year-old cleaner from Ross-on-Wye was thought to be 'fit and well' in the weeks before his death.

Mr Burns, who lived with his brother and his son in Kyrle Street, collapsed as he got ready for work on February 12 this year.

After examining Mr Burns' body, pathologist, Dr Frank McGinty ruled out possible causes of death such as convulsions or choking due to an obstruction in his airway.

Forensic pathologist Dr Edmund Tapp reiterated Dr McGinty's conclusion confirming Mr Burns' death was unascertained although it was most likely he died from a heart conduction mechanism defect.

His brother, Anthony, confirmed that, on the morning of his death, Mr Burns got up for work as normal and after getting dressed and taking his brother a cup of tea he returned to his bedroom and collapsed.

Anthony Burns said in a statement: "He went back into his bedroom and watched television and talked to his dog - he really loved his dog. I heard him cough, I went in there and found him collapsed on the bed."

Chest pains

Members of Mr Burns family confirmed he was 'fit and well' in the run-up to his death although his son, Darryl, said his father had complained of pain in his chest and left arm.

Attempts by paramedics to revive Mr Burns proved to be fruitless and, after he was transferred to Hereford County Hospital, Mr Burns was pronounced dead at 6.30am.

Deputy coroner, Mark Bricknell recorded an open verdict although he confirmed 'it was highly likely that a heart conduction mechanism defect may have existed and a heart defect was the cause'.