A MUM-of-two whose body was found by her sons at home died as a result of an accidental fall, an inquest was told.

Bolton Coroners Court heard how Victoria Hill, of Little Harwood Lee, Harwood, was found not breathing and in a collapsed condition by her sons George and Sam Hill on April 18.

Two days before her death, the 51-year-old, who worked at Next clothing store, was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital after falling over at work while transferring polo shirts from one clothing rail to another.

Store manager Steven Nicholls told the court that he heard a loud thud and then a moan, before realising that his employee was lying on the ground.

Mr Nicholls asked if she wanted him to call an ambulance but she declined, although was later picked up by her son.

Doctors said she complained primarily of a sore shoulder and abdominal pain. She was later released from hospital care by doctors, and got a taxi back home.

It is suspected that sometime in the following 48 hours, she suffered another fall at home, which was likely to be the primary cause of her death.

Her son George Hill told the court: "My mum had a problem with drinking for around 20 years I think, but she did try hard to get help for it.

"She also saw a GP for depression about two years ago, and I think she was on medication for it."

The court heard that Mrs Hill was also prescribed medication for high blood pressure and alcohol addiction.

Pathologist Dr Jonathan Pearson, who conducted the postmortem examination at Royal Bolton Hospital mortuary, told the court that Mrs Hill had suffered fractured ribs and bleeding in her chest, which was most likely from a recent fall.

He gave the medical cause of death as one of left hemothorax, left rib fractures and alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Police coroner's officer Julie-Ann Hyde said: "Paramedics attended and recorded her death at the scene at 2.33pm.

"Investigations concluded that there was no evidence of forced entry, or evidence of third-party involvement found inside the property.

Concluding the inquest, assistant coroner Steven Teasdale said: "Victoria Hill was found in a collapsed condition by her sons in her home, in between the kitchen and the lounge having suffered injuries from a fall.

"Her death was accidental and not alcohol related. I send my condolences to the whole family."