COUNCILLORS are to consider the findings of a report into the standard of accommodation where a 24-year-old woman died.

Pendle Council officers inspected the Hendly Hotel, Colne, after Abigail Gallagher was discovered dead in a room on January 7.

Her death was not treated as suspicious but Colne Committee said the case highlighted the fact the hotel may not be being used in the way the council believed.

The hotel, in Queen Street, is classed as a 'house in multiple occupation' under the Housing Act but the owner said the accommodation is more accurately defined as a hotel, which would require higher standards under the law.

The inspection report will be presented to Colne councillors tonight but a preliminary report to the committee said the inspecting officers did not consider the condition of the property warranted any urgent or immediate enforcement action.

Accommodation is on a room only basis and there are limited facilities for tenants to make drinks in a separate kitchen.

Colne and District Area Committee called for a joint inspection at a meeting last month and it was carried out by the council's housing technical officer and Fire Authority officer on January 20 with the co-operation of the owner.

The hotel is occupied by 13 people, none of whom have been referred by statutory agencies, although a number of agencies, including housing and community services, are trying to secure suitable long-term accommodation for residents of the hotel.

The committee has been advised to ask the environmental health and urban renewal service manager to consider the findings of the inspection and take appropriate action under current council policy.