A DRUG user was unable to save his friend's life because he had taken too much valium, an inquest heard.

Darren Andrews, of Sportsbank Street, Catford, looked on as heroin addict Frankie Robinson, aged 28, died in his sleep on January 22.

Southwark Coroners Court heard how Mr Andrews feared Mr Robinson, of Ardoch Road, Catford, "didn't look right" as he lay crashed out on his sofa.

But Mr Andrews claimed he was too sedated by valium he had taken earlier that evening.

A post mortem examination revealed labourer Mr Robinson, who injected heroin and drank 10 cans of strong lager every day, died from a drug overdose.

Coroner John Sampson recorded a verdict of non-dependent abuse of drugs at the inquest on April 20.