ONE of the irrepressable Beverley Sisters broke into song in the witness box at Hornsey Coroner's Court last week.

Joy Beverley, who was a member of the 1950s pop trio, was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of her uncle, Leonard Miles of Southgate.

Joy, whose married name is Wright, was describing how 92-year-old 'Lenny', who died from hypothermia in February, had spurred a busload of people into song on his way home from the pub shortly before his death.

Overwhelmed with admiration for her beloved uncle, Joy was then spurred into song herself and surprised onlookers at the inquest as she leapt into a rendition of Franz Lehar's music from The Land of Smiles, singing: 'You are my heart's delight and where you are I long to be...'

Bemused coroner Dr William Dolman said: 'I have sat as a coroner in this court since 1974 and this is the first time in my life I have heard music sung to the court by a witness. Thankyou.'

Joy, who lives in Whetstone, responded: 'It's not half as good as Uncle Lenny's rendition.'

She told how her caring widower uncle had spoiled her and her famous sisters Babs and Teddy as children with bags of goodies and that she had tried to return the favour in his later years by leaving gifts for him.

She had left a bag of presents outside Lenny's home in Crown Lane in February and became alarmed when he uncharacteristically failed to report that he had received them. He was found dead in his home on February 6 having died from hypothermia.

Dr Dolman recorded a verdict of misadventure. He ended the inquest saying: 'We have had a vivid picture painted of the kind of man Lenny was.

'I don't think anyone can forget the story of how he came home singing on that bus.'