A 70-YEAR-OLD woman was found drowned in the Leeds-Liverpool canal close to where she was born, married and where her parents were buried, an inquest heard.

The previous evening, at almost midnight, Sandrea Pilkington had been seen standing facing the canal.

Earlier the same day - Monday, February 17 - she had travelled by taxi from Ramsbottom in Lancashire, where she lived, to Skipton and then on to Kildwick where she arrived at about 6.40am.

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

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

Mrs Pilkington, who suffered mental health problems, had also spent time in the White Lion in the village, before she was later still standing near the edge of the canal.

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, still containing money.

Mr Turnbull was told by her three children that their mother would never have drowned herself.

He said: "I can't rule out that she slipped and fell or any other factors, so I am recording an 'open conclusion'."