A beloved grandfather who was a popular member of the Oldham community died after months in intensive care, an inquest has heard.

Kevin Hobson, of Wilkes Street, Moorside, was 75 when he died on August 17 last year at Royal Oldham Hospital.

In a statement, his family said: "The mischievous, cheeky chappy has left a hole in the heart of everyone he ever touched.

"Forever missed."

The retired engineer was best known for his work as chairman of Waterhead ARLFC rugby team and would often be seen umpiring local cricket matches.

Roger Halstead, media manager at Oldham RLFC, said at the time of Mr Hobson's death: "I was privileged to know him, first in a professional capacity but in more recent times as a friend and fellow rugby league fan."

At Rochdale Coroners Court on Wednesday (March 15), the inquest into Mr Hobson's death was held by assistant coroner for Greater Manchester North Matthew Cox.

The court heard how on January 5, 2022, he was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) to undergo an operation for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is the swelling of the main blood vessel which runs from the heart down through the chest and stomach.

Dr Jonathan Ghosh, consultant vascular surgeon at MRI, told the court that although the operation was successful, Mr Hobson suffered some health problems and ended up staying in intensive care for nearly five months.

Mr Hobson returned home in June, but on August 1, he was admitted to A&E at Royal Oldham.

He died in the hospital, more than two weeks after he was admitted.

Pathologist Dr Emil Salmo, who carried out the post-mortem examination on Mr Hobson, said he had an enlarged heart and that the cause of death was acute heart failure due to ischemic heart disease.

Mr Hobson's family expressed concerns during the inquest that issues with his heart were never flagged up during his time at MRI and that the cause of death was a shock to them.

Dr Ghosh told the court that tests in May and June on Mr Hobson showed no signs of heart failure and that the "only explanation" was the condition of his heart must have changed after he was discharged from MRI.

Mr Cox adopted the cause of death given by Dr Salmo.

Mr Hobson is survived by his wife Sue, his four children and 10 grandchildren.