AN inquest was halted after two brothers questioned their mother's treatment in hospital after a hip replacement operation.

John and Michael Clark said their mother Kathleen had lived for five days after intravenous drips had been removed and claimed she had been left in bed with no attempts to get her up and about.

The inquest heard that Mrs Clark, 70, of Melville Drive, Blackburn, died of bronchopneumonia and pulmonary emboli due to immobility.

Coroner Michael Singleton adjourned the inquest so that someone involved in Mrs Clark's care can attend to answer the questions.