A 45-year-old mum who had suffered a "troubled life" died after falling down the stairs at her home.

Mrs Valerie Ayre was discovered lying at the foot of the stairs by her daughter, Sarah Lambert in the early hours of February 2 this year.

A Bolton inquest heard how Mrs Ayre, who was twice divorced had been out for the evening with her daughter shortly before being found dead.

Sarah told the inquest that her mother had suffered a previous tragedy when her young brother was electrocuted 10 years ago.

On the night of Mrs Ayre's death she had been out for the evening with her daughter for a drink. They had returned to their home in Croft Street, Westhoughton, enjoyed supper together, and then Sarah had gone to bed, leaving her mother downstairs.

While Sarah was in bed she heard a loud bang, went out of her bedroom, and saw her mum unconscious on the floor downstairs, with a can of drink and her handbag close by.

She ran to a neighbour's house and the emergency services were contacted.

Sarah told the inquest her mother had suffered whiplash in a car accident shortly before her death and it had left her neck very stiff and sore.

A post mortem revealed Mrs Ayre had died from head injuries and fracture of the cervical spine.

In recording an "accidental death" verdict coroner Mr Martin Coppel said Mrs Ayre had suffered a fairly "troubled life".

He said he believed the six or seven drinks she had taken shortly before her death, her stiff neck and imbalance caused by her carrying items as she climbed the stairs had caused her to lose her balance.

He also urged Sarah to repair the loose fitting carpet and added that her mother's slip-on slippers may have been contributing factors.

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