A HOLME man drowned as he took a short cut home from a family party across a fast flowing stream, police believe.

Alan Hunter, aged 56, was described as 'very drunk' when he was last seen leaving the party at the Longlands Hotel in Tewitfield at 10.30pm on Saturday.

His body was found at around 2pm on Sunday in the stream that flows opposite the hotel.

Lancashire Police believe that Mr Hunter got into difficulty attempting to cross the stream, which was flowing fast because of heavy rainfall.

The route, which leads onto the Lancaster Canal, would have offered Mr Hunter a short cut home, said a police spokesman.

"There is no evidence at this stage to suggest foul play," he said.