HOSPITAL bosses have launched an immediate inquiry into circumstances surrounding the death of a mental health patient whose body was found on a beach the day after she walked out of hospital.

And they have revealed that only the day before her disappearance Mavis Gouldthorpe's progress had been reviewed and the decision made to reduce the level of observation on her.

Mrs Gouldthorpe, 64, of Delph Approach, Blackburn, had been a voluntary patient on a mental health ward at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, where she was being treated for depression. She was last seen at the hospital at 10.30am on Thursday and her body was discovered by a man walking his dog on the beach at St Annes on Friday.

The man believes he saw Mrs Gouldthorpe wandering near the sand yacht club at St Annes at about 6pm the previous day.

The incident was one of several of a similar nature in the last three years.

A spokesman for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care Trust said staff were very sorry and shocked to hear of Mrs Gouldthorpe's death.

" We would like to express every sympathy to her family," said the spokesman. "The Trust intends to review all the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident."

Mrs Gouldthorpe was admitted to ward F1 on the Acute Admissions Unit (Mental Health) on July 7 last year and received ongoing treatment since then.

The statement said Mrs Gouldthorpe had a major review on Monday by a multi-disciplinary team.

It continued: "She was further reviewed on Wednesday, February 14 when a decision was made, in view of her progress, that she should be placed on intermittent observations.

" Mrs Gouldthorpe was last seen by ward staff at 10.30am on Thursday February 15. She was noted not to be on the ward about an hour later.

"A decision was taken to make an immediate search of the wards, hospital grounds and the local vicinity. When she was not found the police and family were notified."

Rossendale Search and Rescue team was called in as the search widened.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner has been informed.

Mrs Gouldthorpe's family were too upset to talk about her death.