An active pensioner who liked to wear high heels died after falling down the stairs, an inquest heard.

Margaret Nicoll, 88, of Constable Avenue, Clacton, fell when she caught her heel on the small spiral staircase at her home.

Son William Mulligan told Colchester Coroner's Court yesterday (Wednesday) his mother was a lively lady who always dressed smartly and wore high heels.

She had returned to England in April 1999 after living in Australia for many years.

On June 15 this year, Mr Mulligan was at his mother's house when she went upstairs to get some books.

He said: "She started to come down and I just heard a bang and she was at the bottom of the stairs."

She was conscious and said she had caught her heel on the stairs as she came down.

A lump appeared on the back of her head and she was taken to Colchester General Hospital and released after a check-up in the A&E department.

She deteriorated and, on August 10, was re-admitted to hospital then transferred to Old Church in Romford with a subdural haematoma.

Two operations were carried out but she died on September 16 at Colchester General Hospital.

The inquest heard she had never been in hospital before the incident and had been very healthy.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

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