FALLS at home led to the death of former Rossendale Council officer Jack Ross Catlow an inquest was told.

Mr Catlow died in Burnley General Hospital on Saturday, January 13, after he was found collapsed at his home in Goodshaw Lane, Crawshawbooth, the previous day.

Margaret Catlow told East Lancashire Coroner David Smith of two incidents that day.

She said she heard her husband, who suffered a stroke eight years ago, getting out of bed and fall to the floor.

She did not believe he had banged his head.

She could not get him up so called an ambulance.

He was put in a chair and some time later had a shower and shave.

Later she went to the butcher's and when she returned found him collapsed and unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he died.

Pathologist Dr Abdul al Dawoud told the inquest at Rawtenstall Town Hall that there was no sign of external injury.

But the post mortem examination revealed a very thin fracture above the ear. It probably would not have shown up on x-ray.

Cause of death was an accumulation of blood between the skull and brain.

Recording a verdict of accidental death Mr Smith said he was satisfied the injury was caused accidentally although they did not know which of the two incidents caused it.