A BOLTON woman was killed when a brick pillar fell on her head as she was preparing to move house only days before Christmas.

Lesley Fraser, aged 29, died last December as she was loading a van with her possessions before moving home.

She and her husband Steven had been lodging at the Bolton Bridge Club, Chorley Old Road, with his mother, who was stewardess.

A Bolton inquest was told that although no-one had seen the accident, Mrs Fraser is thought to have fallen into a fence, which knocked unstable brick pillars over, landing on top of her.

Her husband was downstairs in the club cellar and her mother-in-law, Jean Sheldrake, was inside the van and did not see the accident.

When they heard a noise and went to investigate, they found Mrs Fraser part way down some nearby stairs. She was unconscious and covered in debris

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital but died shortly after.

Pathologist Dr David Bisset said the cause of death was brain damage and a fractured skull caused by a crush. He said she could well have died at the scene.

Bolton Council building surveyor, David Croston, who examined the scene, told the inquest the brick pillars had no proper foundations to keep them stable.

He said proper foundations would have been a legal requirement when they were built, around 20 years ago. Helen Thackeray, a council environmental health officer, said investigations were continuing and the council was considering legal action against the club.

Club chairman Edward Wardle refused to answer questions on the grounds that he might incriminate himself.

Det Sgt Martin Freschini said a police investigation had found no evidence of foul play.

Recording his verdict, Bolton Coroner Aidan Cotter said accidental death was the only obvious conclusion.

Mrs Fraser's family refused to comment after the inquest.