AN elderly woman was found dead in the garden of her home in Oakenshaw, an inquest heard.

According to the initial findings of a post mortem, Florrie White, 89, a widow who lived on her own in Outwood Close, may have died from respiratory failure caused by a fracture of two vertebrae, Her son had last seen her at her home on October 15, Worcestershire Coroner's Court heard last week.

Neighbours became concerned two days later when they had not seen her.

Later, when they saw her back door had been left open overnight, they called the police.

A search was carried out at the home and her partially clothed body was later found in the garden.

Coroner Victor Round said Mrs White was deaf, suffered from high blood pressure and had a history of falls.

He said although the initial results of the post mortem suggested she had died from respiratory failure caused by breaking two vertebrae in a fall, blood tests were to be carried out.

The inquest was opened and adjourned.