AN inquest has been opened into the death of an 85-year-old man who died after a second hip replacement became infected.

Peter Noel Ashworth of Kemp Court in Whalley New Road, Blackburn, died on December 20 at Queen's Lodge nursing home in Blackburn.

He had undergone his first hip replacement 20 years ago but became ill after a second operation - performed in 1997 - became infected.

A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as septic and metabolic complications from the prothesis in his right hip.

The hearing was adjourned until March 26, when it will be resumed at Blackburn town hall.