Brian Woodcock, of Kelsey Street, Lancaster, had been drinking heavily when he decided to swim from the Wagon and Horses to the opposite bank on June 4.

But the 45-year-old, who had a history of alcohol abuse, started to get into difficulties not halfway across.

Friend Peddar Broe tied himself to a line and jumped into the water after Mr Woodcock.

Mr Broe told Lancaster Coroner's Court: "I heard Brian ordering a drink. Then I heard him say he was going for a swim.

"He took his clothes off and dived into the river. Within a couple of strokes you could see that he was getting into difficulties."

Mr Broe eventually managed to drag him to a bank close to the Carlisle Bridge.

He then battled to save his friend, giving him heart massage and the kiss of life until emergency services arrived.

But despite his best efforts Mr Woodcock was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Woods' niece Kevina Nicholson told the court how she had seen her uncle near the riverbank earlier that afternoon, and he had told her of his plans to cross the river.

She added: "He told me he was going to have a pint and then swim across the river to have a pint at the pub on the other side.

"I told him not to be so stupid and get a taxi home. But he started laughing at me and that was the last I saw of him."

Mr Woods' sister Lynn Hunt told the hearing he had previously tried to swim while drunk, when he jumped into the Lancaster Canal after a funeral the week before he died.

Assistant deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.

She added: "The evidence I have heard is of a man who had a drink problem and who did not appear averse to taking his clothes off and going into the river.

"It seems to me that this was an accident."