FEARS are mounting over the safety of visitors to Lancaster's famous Ashton memorial in Williamson Park after two deaths in a week at the historic landmark.

Police believe that pensioner Elsie Wolstenholme lost her life after slipping on the steps outside the monument. A post mortem confirmed that the 69 year-old Heysham woman suffered a broken arm and a fractured skull.

A coroner will decide on her official cause of death, but police have confirmed that their are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have also confirmed the identity of a man who died at the memorial last week. Marc Walsey, 26, a PhD mathematics student at Lancaster University fell from the balcony of the memorial, but his identity remained a mystery for a week as police struggled to discover who he was.

Council bosses are emphasising, however, that the building does meet Health and Safety regulations.

Spokesman Stephen Parkinson insisted: "It is not known exactly how the lady's death came about, but it is possible that she fell down the steps in Williamson Park. The Health and Safety executive have been informed about the incident but are satisfied that all health and safety regulations have been met."

The Ashton Memorial offers a panoramic view over the city and Morecambe Bay. Built by Lord Ashton as a tribute to his wife at the end of the last century, it's latest role is as a venue for weddings. A spokesman described the Williamson Park as "A major tourist attraction, with over 120,000 visitors a year."

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