A FORMER Redditch woman and her partner were killed in a road accident as they travelled back from Christmas break, and inquest heard.

Michelle Dalgarno and her companion, Clive Potts, died when their Audi A8 overturned in wintry conditions on December 30 on a road near Calais.

The couple had been to Brugge in Belgium and Disneyland Paris but were on the way back to the UK for New Year when the crash happened.

Miss Dalgarno, 39 and a nursing sister, lived in Staffordshire but had attended Abbey High School and NEW College.

Her parents, Ernest and Rose, still live in Meadow Hall Crescent, Riverside.

During her career, she had worked at Windsor Castle in the Queen's service and also nursed football legend Sir Stanley Matthews.

The court heard how there were no other vehicles involved in the accident and an English eye witness saw the car flip out of control.

Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round said blood alcohol tests for both the driver and passenger came back clear.

"Police confirmed nothing was wrong with the vehicle," said Mr Round.

Dr George Kondratowicz said Miss Dalgarno died of severe head injuries.

And according to a Hampshire pathologist, Mr Potts, 36 and also from Staffordshire, died of traumatic head injuries.

Mr Round returned a verdict of accidental death on both counts at last Tuesday's hearing in Stourport.