A 29-YEAR-OLD woman died after falling downstairs at her home after a Christmas works party.

An inquest heard that Victoria Ann Simm had to be helped home at 5am by colleagues.

And when her body was discovered the following evening by her live-in partner, police initially launched a full-scale murder inquiry.

The inquest was told that Miss Simm was discovered lying on the floor of the living room of the Lower Cross Street home she shared with David Ince.

He had to break into the house after returning home and finding the front and back doors locked from the inside.

The inquest was told that Miss Simm was still wearing the clothes she had on the previous night. Blood smears were found on the wall at the foot of the stairs.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawler showed that Miss Simm had suffered a fractured skill. He said his findings were consistent with Miss Simm falling and banging her head.

Earlier, Joanne Jackson, who works at Sainsbury's in Darwen, where Miss Simm was a cleaner, told how they had been on their works Christmas celebration the previous evening.

Mr Ince, of Leyland Lane, Leyland, said he had lived with Miss Simm for 10 years in the Darwen and Chorley areas.

On the Sunday afternoon he watched the football match between Burnley and Blackburn on television before making his way home at about 9pm.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Michael Singleton said: "We know she had been drinking heavily and she was still in the clothing she had worn to go out."