A WORLD War Two veteran died of bronchopneumonia after being admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital with a broken leg, a coroner heard.

Richard Warburton, 88, fell at Wordsworth House Care Home in Hapton where he had been a resident since 2008 and was taken to hospital with a broken thigh bone.

Mr Warburton, who worked as a wireless operator on Lancaster Bombers during the war, had an operation but developed bronchopneumonia and died on February 22, the court heard.

The condition may have been caused by an existing heart problem and diabetes and brought on by the operation, pathologist Dr Prescott told the court.

Mr Warburton also suffered from dementia during his final years as well as osteoporosis.

Recording a narrative verdict, coroner Elaine Block told his widow: “I’d like to offer you my sincere condolences.

“He sounds like a gent and it’s nice to hear he was so particular and liked to be dressed smartly. Despite being without much of his faculties, he obviously retained his personality.”

His wife of 32 years, Caroll Warburton, from Padiham, said: “He was the most wonderful husband. It’s just a shame he ended up like that, especially when he used to fly in the Lancaster Bombers.”