A YORKSHIRE woman died after apparently choking on a scone on a day out in Blackpool, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Margaret Bottomley, 75, died after food lodged in her lungs and caused pneumonia and brain damage, the Blackpool coroner's court was told.

Miss Bottomley, who had learning difficulties, was on a day trip on June 24 with her carers from Moorlands Grange, Coppice Drive, Netherton where she lived. They had stopped at a Blackpool caf for 'their usual pot of tea' and Miss Bottomley also began eating a scone.

Carer Anthea Rowe told Blackpool deputy coroner Anne Hind how midway through the snack she and care home manager Karen Knapik noticed 'something was wrong' and that Miss Bottomley was suddenly unresponsive.

She was taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, but died there on June 30.

Consultant pathologist Dr Mark Sissons told the inquest that during a post mortem examination of Miss Bottomley he found evidence that inhaled food had caused a form of pneumonia and also caused a shortage of oxygen leading to brain damage.

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, deputy coroner Mrs Hind described Miss Bottomley's death as 'a very sad thing' and added: "This serves as a sharp reminder really of how fragile life can be."