A YOUNG woman with a history of substance abuse has died after being found collapsed by staff at a Blackburn hostel.

Police recovered a container filled with lighter fuel in the room used by 20-year-old Nicky Walmseley at the Young Women's Christian Association housing project in East Park Road, Blackburn.

Miss Walmseley, who is originally from Accrington, died as she was being taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary by ambulance on Sunday morning.

A post mortem examination has been carried out to discover the cause of her death.

The coroner's office has been informed of the incident, which is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Blackburn police Inspector Andy Pratt described the death as "tragic".

A spokesman for the YWCA said: "Nicky had been with us since last April and we were aware that she had a history of substance abuse and was undergoing rehabilitation with the help of the appropriate local agencies. She was found unconscious by the project staff, who immediately called for an ambulance."

Keith Owen, manager of the Blackburn-based solvent misuse agency SRG, urged people to consider the dangers before misusing solvents.

He added: "Solvent misuse is very dangerous. There is no known safe dose or safe method of use."

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