THE devastated husband of a 27-year-old woman who died following a disturbance in a fast food takeaway wept today as he said: "We were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Heartbroken Jeff Hampson spoke as police announced that a woman was to appear in court charged with manslaughter of his wife Sharon, who collapsed and died following an incident outside the Capanna takeaway, Blackburn Road, Haslingden, at 1am yesterday.

The couple, of Warwick Street, Haslingden, had enjoyed a night out in the town with friends and had gone to the takeaway for supper when the incident occurred.

There was an altercation inside the shop which spilt on to the pavement and the trainee nurse collapsed unconscious on the ground.

Paramedics treated her at the scene and she was taken to Bury General Hospital where she was pronounced dead without regaining consciousness.

A post mortem examination yesterday failed to establish the exact cause of death. The dead woman, who has an eight-year-old son and a daughter aged four, was on a nurse training course at the University of Central Lancashire.

Mr Hampson, who was being comforted by his sister Carol today, said: "We were in the wrong place at the wrong time." Carol added: "We are in complete shock. Sharon was a very well known and well liked girl and it is very difficult to take in."

The family have received many calls from people shocked by the news and bunches of flowers and sympathy cards have been left outside the takeaway.

Stephen Hodgson, also of Warwick Street, who was out with Mr and Mrs Hampson and his wife Sam at the time, said: "We are all absolutely devastated. It was the first chance the four of us had had to go out for a Christmas drink. You just don't expect anything like this to happen.

"Sharon was a lovely girl who knew many people around here. We were just sitting eating our supper when this happened. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Detectives from Burnley and Pendle were drafted in to help with the investigation which is being led by Detective Superintendent Bob Denmark.

Staff at nearby shops and a petrol station opposite said they were shocked by the incident.

Workers at the takeaway, which was open at the time of the disturbance, said they did not want to comment on the matter.

A 45-year-old local woman and her daughter, aged 25, were arrested.

They were interviewed by detectives yesterday. The older woman was later released without charge.

The younger woman was due to appear at Burnley Magistrates' Court today charged with manslaughter.

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