BACUP woman Jean Speak died on the day she was diagnosed as having a chest infection, an inquest was told.

Mrs Speak, 49, went to bed at her home in Todmorden Road where her condition worsened.

She was taken to Rochdale Infirmary where she died a short time later, an inquest at Rawtenstall Town Hall was told.

Acting East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor said the inquest was opened on November 27 and adjourned for the post mortem examination to be concluded with the result of certain tests.

The inquest was told how Mrs Speak lived with her husband Harry and on November 21 had complained to her mother of feeling unwell.

She had gone to bed and when her husband returned home from work he found her in a dazed and confused state.

She was then taken to hospital where she died.

Pathologist Dr RJ Fitzmaurice confirmed she had been diagnosed with a chest infection on November 21.

Specimens sent for histological examination showed she had broncho pneumonia consistent with the chest infection diagnosed by her GP.

He gave cause of death as broncho pneumonia as a result of acute bronchialitis.

Mr Taylor recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.