Neighbours complained about the smell from the flat

The remains of Denis Pring were discovered on a sofa in the lounge after neighbours reported a foul smell.

Mr Pring, who would have been 73, was a lodger at the flat in Bedminster.

It is thought the flat's tenant failed to report the death because he suffers from mental health problems.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

The tenant, named locally as Alan Derrick, and also in his 70s, was initially arrested in connection with the discovery, but was later bailed.

Police are no longer treating the death as suspicious.

Bristol City Council has launched an internal inquiry to establish how the corpse went unnoticed for so long.

A spokesman said: "We were alerted to the body after we received reports of a smell.

"We are shocked and concerned by this discovery and are carrying out an urgent internal review of the circumstances of the tenant.

"A police investigation is ongoing, and it would be inappropriate to comment further while this is taking place."