A WOMAN who died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital passed away from natural causes, an inquest found.

Joan Tillotson, 85, of Moorhead Care Home in Accrington, died on May 20, three days after being admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The retired shop keeper, originally from Colne, had previously suffered from carcinoma of the thyroid, a form of cancer, the inquest at Blackburn Coroner’s Court heard.

Mrs Tillotson, the widow of Fred, had died from disseminated non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pathologist Dr Muhammad Babar Aslam reported.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.