A CORONER has recorded a verdict of natural causes after a grandmother died weighing less than six stones.

Simon Nelson called an early halt to the inquest of Joan Watkin, aged 77, which started at Bury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday — almost five years after her death.

The pensioner’s daughter, 50-year-old Janet Watkin, believes her mother died as a result of “severe malnutrition”

and “gross negligence”

at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, and Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital.

But Mr Nelson said he had not heard enough evidence to suggest that hospital staff were to blame for Mrs Watkin’s death at Fairfield on September 29, 2005.

Yesterday, the inquest was brought to a conclusion when Mr Nelson said Mrs Watkin died from acute myeloid leukaemia in the first instance and a chronic breathing condition and bowel problem in the second.

Mr Nelson said: “On the evidence that I have heard this week, there are no facts that would amount either to neglect or culpable human failures that would have had a bearing on her death. I do not believe that malnutrition was a significant contributory factor.”

After the inquest, Janet Watkin, a member of campaign group Cure the NHS North West, said she was “disappointed”

at the verdict and added: “Vital evidence was not heard.

Now we can move on and continue to campaign for better NHS care.”