PROSECUTORS are set to make a decision within the next few months on whether criminal charges will be brought over the death of a grandmother.

Eveline Birtwell is believed to have died as a result of an excessive dosage of her prescribed medication while a resident at White Ash Brook Nursing Home.

She died on August 26 last year in Blackburn Royal Infirmary after being admitted from the Oswaldtwistle home.

Details of a police investigation into her death were given to the Crown Prosecution Service last September.

They are still being assessed to decide whether criminal charges should be brought.

Coroner Michael Singleton further adjourned the inquest until December 5.

He said: "If criminal charges have not been brought by that date, I will be in a position to list the death for a full hearing."

Concerns had been raised by the hospital after they carried out a review of the 82-year-old's medical records.

Police were then called in to investigate.

The death of Mrs Birtwell, of Elmfield Street, Church, was not initially treated as suspicious.

But after a review of her medication records, the coroner asked police to investigate.

They were asked to focus on allegations surrounding the administering of medication during her stay at the home. Three members of staff at the Thwaites Road nursing home were interviewed in connection with her death earlier this year and information was given to the CPS.

A police spokesman said: "It has been quite a complex investigation which has been given to the CPS.

"We hope they will make a decision quite soon but do not know exactly when that will be.

"They are now deciding what charges could be brought and against whom and we are hoping that will be sooner rather than later."