FORMER Blackburn Mayor Mary Leaver died after falling down the stairs at her home, an inquest heard.

The hearing was told that Mrs Leaver, 72, of Pringle Street, Blackburn, had been visibly upset following the death of her brother and had had a "fair amount" to drink.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Michael Singleton said he was satisfied that Mrs Leaver, despite being three times over the drink-drive limit, did not have enough alcohol in her system to have contributed to a fall.

She suffered fractures to her skull and severe neck injuries after falling from a "considerable height."

Mrs Leaver, a mother of seven children and 11 grandchildren, had represented Earcroft ward since 1995 and before that Queen's Park, where she first served as a councillor after being elected in May 1987.

In 1996/97 she served as Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen. She remained an active member of the council. Mrs Leaver's daughter, Suzanne Parker, told the inquest that on February 29 she had been round to see her mother at her home.

Mrs Leaver had been visibly upset following the death of her brother and had had a "fair amount" to drink.

Mrs Parker then left her mother's house at around 5.30pm, suggesting she get some rest.

Mrs Parker returned to her mother's house around 10.30pm. There was no reply so she used her key to enter the house where she found her mother at the bottom of the stairs. There was no response from her.

Post mortem examination results showed that she had died as a result of the head and neck injuries.

Mr Singleton said: "I am satisfied that Mary Leaver fell sustaining the injuries and that as a consequence she later died."