AN elderly woman died in a care home after being discharged from hospital following a fall, an inquest has heard.

Rosemary Roberts, aged 97, died at the Malthouse residential nursing home, Bay Road, Gillingham, on March 27, this year.

On Tuesday, April 7, at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, coroner Richard Middleton opened and adjourned an inquest into the former civil servant's death.

Reading from a statement prepared by coroner's officer Nicola Muller, Mr Middleton said: "Mrs Roberts had been discharged to the home having spent time in Salisbury and Shaftesbury hospitals following a fall.

"Following the fall she had become increasingly more frail and wasn't able to mobilise."

Mrs Roberts, a widow, was discovered deceased in her bed by care home staff.

Police carried out an investigation and found no suspicious circumstances.

The cause of death was recorded as frailty of old age following a broken femur.

The inquest has been adjourned until a further hearing set for October this year.