THE sister of a Netherton man who died outside a police station has spoke of her pride that he had kicked his drug habit before his death.

Tony Jones, of Gill Street, died shortly after he became unresponsive and collapsed on the Dudley-to-Tettenhall bus on October 17 last year.

The driver had diverted bus to Wolverhampton's Bilston Street police station after becoming concerned about Mr Jones' condition, who he believed to be drunk.

When no assistance came, the driver returned to the counter where he called for an ambulance but the 28-year-old was pronounced dead at 7.21pm.

At the inquest into his death, Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique concluded Mr Jones had died as a result of drugs and alcohol.

But his younger sister Sarah Hart said Tony had taken methadone and medication prescribed to him to cope with depression and anxiety.

She said: "It showed up that there was heroin in his system but he was clean towards the end, that was the methadone.

"He had been out of prison for a few months and couldn't cope with the outside world but he was starting to sort his life out and we were supporting him."

She described her brother as "a loveable person that would have helped anybody", adding: "He had his troubles but he was a nice person."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the response of police staff following the bus driver's request for help.

Mrs Hart said she believes her brother should have received assistance, adding: "We are not saying he could have been saved but it would have put our minds at rest if something had of been done."