AN open verdict has been recorded at the inquest into the death of a 70-year-old woman from Ramsbottom, who drowned in a canal.

Sandrea Pilkington was recovered from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, close to where she was born, married and where her parents were buried.

The previous evening, around midnight on Monday, February 17, Mrs Pilkington had been seen standing facing the canal.

Earlier the same day, she had travelled by taxi from her home in Ramsbottom to Skipton in North Yorkshire, and then on to Kildwick where she arrived at about 6.40am.

Her movements were traced throughout the day on closed circuit television, the hearing before Craven coroner Rob Turnbull was told.

She had visited Starkey Lane, where she was born, and Kildwick Church, where she was married.

Mrs Pilkington had also spent time in the White Lion in the village, before she was seen sitting on a bench at Parson’s seat near the church.

Her body was pulled from the canal by police officers at about 7am on Tuesday, February 18.

Her two bags were found on the bench, containing money, along with a bus pass and bank statements, which enabled the police to identify her.

Officers investigating her death believed her body had floated “downstream” from where she might have entered the water.

Mr Turnbull was told by Mrs Pilkington’s three children, who attended the hearing, that their mother would never have drowned herself.

She had been frightened of water and if she had been planning suicide, she would have used an overdose of medication.

Mr Turnbull concluded: “Before I can return a verdict that she took her own life, I must be satisfied she intended to do so beyond reasonable doubt.

“I can’t be satisfied that is what happened.

“I can’t rule out that she slipped and fell, or any other factors, so I am recording an ‘open conclusion’.”