POLICE were today investigating the cause of an accident in which a woman died after her car came off the A59 and collided with a tree.

Shelagh Lunt, 46, of Chipping Road, Chaigley, was pronounced dead at the scene after the accident at 9.35am yesterday.

The accident occurred half a mile west of the Stirk House Hotel on Gisburn Road, in an area known as Sawley Brow.

Her husband, Ian, believed to be an engineer working for a company in Westhoughton, was flown into the country from a business trip in Ireland yesterday afternoon. He was being comforted by relatives at home today.

Police sealed the road off and diverted Gisburn to Clitheroe traffic as fire crews freed Mrs Lunt from her green Rover 400 Saloon. The road was re-opened later in the day.

Sergeant Stuart Isherwood, heading the investigation, said: "Mrs Lunt was travelling on a long, straight stretch of the road towards Gisburn then on a slight left bend the car went straight on, across the road, and into the tree.

"We are carrying out investigations to try and establish exactly what caused the accident and we are talking to witnesses and would like to speak to anybody else who saw the accident."

Witnesses should call police on 01254 353764.