By Teri Jones A PENSIONER died in hospital after a "low risk" operation to remove blood clots.

Florence Fountain, of Broadgreen Gardens, Farnworth, had a history of chest conditions and suffered severe lung disease before her death on February 22, a Bolton inquest was told.

Mrs Fountain, aged 81, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital seven days earlier after complaining of pains in her legs. Her right foot had also started to discolour.

After an examination blockages were discovered in both of Mrs Fountain's thighs.

She was also suffering from a chest infection, which led doctors to decide she was not fit to undergo an operation involving general anaesthetic.

Mrs Fountain underwent surgery on February 22 but died later that night.

"The surgery was very low risk, but there are risks, which I explained to Mrs Fountain," said Dr Robina Rassaq. "There is a risk of bleeding, the risk of a clot lower down and a risk of tearing the vessel, but these risks are only about one per cent." Mrs Fountain died as a result of a massive haemorrhage to in her groin. Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded a verdict of misadventure.

She said: "Mrs Fountain underwent intentional surgery, but that surgery had unintended consequences, which led to her death."