A PARATROOPER and great-grandfather was out with his family at one of his favourite restaurants when he choked to death, an inquest heard.

James McConnel was eating with his great-grandson at The Spring Inn on February 6 when he left the table coughing and went to the toilets.

The 94-year-old man was later found by his family with signs of vomiting and paramedics attempted CPR, but there was nothing doctors at the Royal Berkshire Hospital could do to save his life.

Christine Honey, his eldest daughter, said: "He lived a very full life. He was a red beret in World War Two and up until two years ago he marched every November.

"He was a very active member of the British Legion. We took him out on a regular basis because he enjoyed being out of the house.

"We are very proud of him. He would visit the local schools and tell his story from the war. He was a spritely man and he was happy all the time."

McConnel lived with his daughter Christine on The Meadway in Tilehurst after his wife Joyce died shortly after their diamond wedding anniversary in 2006.

His family agreed to take him out for a meal as a joint-celebration for his birthday and Christmas, but he would frequently cough very soon after eating.

During the inquest at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, Christine explained he would often make light of coughing after a meal and his doctors at Circuit Lane Surgery were unaware of his condition.

Alison McCormick, assistant coroner for Berkshire, decided his death was accidental after a post-mortem found food remains in his oesophagus.

She concluded: "James was certainly active for his age and I understand from the family he coughed after eating.

"He would excuse himself and go to the toilets to vomit. He did make light of his condition and would refuse to talk about it with his family.

"We know he died as a result of choking, but it is unclear whether he had a pre-existing condition that caused him to cough all the time."