DRUG users have been warned not to mix drink and drugs after the third inquest this year into a death caused by a heroin-alcohol cocktail.

Coroner, David Halpern made the plea while summing up the death of 40-year-old Idris Symonds, who was found dead in his flat by a friend.

"The risk is apparently well known to drug users but, despite having the appropriate knowledge, there is still an unacceptable level of deaths caused by drugs and alcohol," said Mr Halpern.

"Even though they are aware of the dangers they don't seem to be heeding them."

His thoughts were backed up by DC Nigel Cleeton from Hereford CID who told the inquest: "These deaths keep coming up.

"This is the third inquest I have been to in the last six months dealing with a drug and alcohol death."

The inquest heard that DC Cleeton was one of the first officers to arrive at Mr Symonds flat in Golden Post, Hereford.

A syringe was found on a kitchen sideboard along with empty cans and a cider bottle in the bin.

"There was a bag of brown powder on the side, in a bag, it looked like heroin as it is sold on the street," said DC Cleeton.

Mr Symonds died on February 7 this year.

A doctor's report confirmed that there was a significant amount of heroin in Mr Symonds's blood at the time of his death, but also said that it may not have been lethal without the alcohol level - around three and a half times the legal driving limit.

Mr Halpern recorded a verdict of accidental death, adding a rider that death was caused by the consumption of illegal drugs and alcohol.