AN 88-year-old year old woman died four days after choking on a ham sandwich.

Alice Jones' daughter Alison Phillips of Sackfield Street, Barnoldswick, told an inquest at Burnley how she tried to save her mother, following instructions given by an ambulance officer over the phone.

Mrs Jones was taken unconscious to Burnley General Hospital where she died on Friday, four days after the incident.

Mrs Phillips said that on Monday last week her mother, who lived with her ,had breakfast in bed.

When she returned home from work at lunchtime she got her mother out of bed and helped her dress. She made her a ham sandwich cutting it into quarters.

As she was making a cup of tea she heard call her mother call her name in a muffled voice and immediately saw she was choking.

She tried to clear her mouth and called the emergency services who gave her instructions over the phone which she carried out until paramedics arrived very quickly.

Pathologist Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud said cause of death was broncho pneumonia due to small particles of food getting into the lungs.

He told Mrs Phillips: "I think you did extremely well in the circumstances."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, East Lancs coroner David Smith commented: "You may think it is very unusual but I have had several cases of people who have died choking on a sandwich.

"It sounds incredible that someone can die eating a sandwich but it happens.

"It is unfortunate but you did everything possible. She was obviously very well looked after by you and your sister."