THE family of a man who died in an Oxford night shelter is asking for help to piece together his final movements.

Alan Hedges died in December and now his niece, Karen Bannister, who last saw her uncle in August, wants to find out why he ended up in Oxford.

Father-of-one Mr Hedges was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and later went on to develop lung cancer.

Mrs Bannister believed he have died from pneumonia in a hostel in Oxford.

The former production engineer was born in Hannington, Wiltshire, and had a bungalow in Highworth, near Swindon.

The 67-year-old moved out of his home in Highworth, which he had owned for more than 10 years, while it was being refurbished in the summer.

He stayed in various bed-and-breakfasts in the Wiltshire area, before moving to Witney in October, where he stayed at the Red Lion Hotel, in Corn Street.

Mr Hedges, who may have also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, is thought to have stayed in Carterton as well.

However, mum-of-four Mrs Bannister does not know how he came to be in a homeless shelter in Oxford.

Mrs Bannister, also from Highworth, said: “He seemed to have died penniless in a place in Oxford.

“We just want to try to piece together the last year of his life.

“I don’t know an awful lot after the beginning of May, other than I saw him in August.”

The 54-year-old added: “He had a few good friends in Highworth and then he seemed to go off on a frolic once he left the area. Then he was kind of lost to us. I am trying to get anybody who spoke to him where he stayed to contact me. I just want to try to find out why he was in the Witney area.”

Mrs Bannister, who lived in a house opposite her uncle while she was growing up, said unmarried Mr Hedges suffered from bouts of depression throughout his life.

She said: “The fact that he was living in a pub and then in a homeless place in Oxford did not really help his mental health or physical health at all.”

Her mother 77-year-old Christine Haddock – Mr Hedges’ only sibling – cared for him for 10 years, after he was forced to give up work because of his mental health. Ms Haddock last saw her brother in 2008.

Mrs Bannister believed her uncle befriended people while he stayed in Witney and enjoyed talking about his 23-year-old daughter – who is a medical student in Germany – and an around-the-world cruise he was planning.

Anyone with information about Mr Hedges should contact the Oxford Mail’s Witney office on 01993 773133 or email witney@oxfordmail.co.uk