RETIRED club stewardess Dorothy Johnson died after developing deep vein thrombosis after an operation on varicose veins.

An inquest heard that pieces of the clots in her legs broke off and lodged in her lungs.

The complication could have arisen following any operation and was not directly linked to the fact that the surgery was for a circulation problem, the inquest was told. Mrs Johnson, 68, of James Street, Great Harwood, appeared to make a good recovery from the surgery in October and after a couple of days rest at home had started doing the shopping again.

Her husband, Frank, said she then developed a shortness of breath and felt a sharp pain in her back.

She was reluctantly persuaded to go to see her doctor but collapsed on her way and was instead taken by ambulance to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Mrs Johnson was transferred to Queen's Park Hospital where she died five days later.

The medical cause of death was given as pulmonary embolism as a result of deep vein thrombosis following the operation on her varicose veins.

The inquest was told that the risks of surgery had been fully explained to Mrs Johnson, a fact confirmed by her husband.

"She wanted the operation, she had it done and there is no one to blame, no one whatsoever," said Mr Johnson.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of misadventure.