A BRIERFIELD woman could have fallen to her death down the stairs of her home while sleepwalking, an inquest heard.

Dorothy Burrows, 68, had previously suffered episodes of sleepwalking, and on one occasion had woken up to find herself in a spare room, with her own bed having been made nearby, without her knowledge, Burnley Coroner's Court was told.

Mrs Burrows, of Taylor Street, had lost her husband of 47 years some 18 months before her death in April this year, and was slowly rebuilding her life, the inquest heard.

Family members became concerned when, despite repeated calls, they could not contact her, the inquest heard.

Later Mrs Burrows was found at the bottom of the stairs at her home.

She had suffered a head injury and could not be revived.

"She was just starting to pick herself up when this happened," daughter Mrs Angela Jeeves.

"We did mention to the police and coroner's officer, that she did sleepwalk at times."

Pathologist Dr Zuhir Twage said she had suffered a fractured skull and it was unlikely that she had survived the fall.

The inquest heard that Mrs Burrows enjoyed looking after her grand-children and was considered to be fit and active for her age.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said while there was evidence of alcohol in Mrs Burrows' system, it was not significant enough to have contributed to her fall.

"How the fall occurred we will never know. This was purely accidental as such, I record a verdict of accidental death."