A PENSIONER died after suffering a blood clot when she fell downstairs, an inquest heard.

Beryl Margaret Hargreaves, 67, had had surgery and appeared to be recovering.

Coroner's Officer PC Bob Wilson said Miss Hargreaves, of Leeds Road, Nelson, died on March 3.

She had fallen down the stairs at home, believed to be on Christmas Day last year, and was admitted to Burnley General Hospital suffering from a head injury.

She was then transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital, where she underwent an operation for the removal of a blood clot on her brain.

PC Wilson said Miss Hargreaves appeared to recover and was returned to Burnley General on January 12.

Her consciousness remained quite poor and she was unable to feed herself. She continued to deteriorate even though a procedure was carried out to help.

The officer said a post mortem was carried out by pathologist Dr Walid Salman who had found the main cause of death was bronchial pneumonia.

PC Wilson said further enquiries were being carried out about the circumstances of Miss Hargreaves' fall . Deputy East Lancs Coroner Mark Williams adjourned the inquest.