A 69-year-old Hollywood woman who choked to death on food had been prescribed drugs which together suppressed her ability to cough it back up.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round expressed "surprise" that Sheila Swain, of Corbett Road, had been taking a quantity of different prescribed drugs which, in combination, had a sedative effect.

An inquest on Monday heard how Mrs Swain had been found dead in her bedroom on July 20.

The sales manager had a history of illness and had complained of pains in her legs, for which she was taking various drugs.

Mr Round said the medication, including morphine, found in her system was not lethal but in combination had prevented Mrs Swain from gagging the food back up when she inhaled it.

Mr Round said: "I'm a little concerned the drugs were prescribed together."

Mr Round said Mrs Swain had died from "aspiration of food" after ingesting multiple prescribed drugs and gave a verdict of accidental death.

He said he was sure the drugs had been prescribed quite legitimately but added: "If there is a hazard then people should know."