The family of a pensioner were left traumatised when he died after a fall in hospital.

An inquest was told yesterday that retired police officer Graham Arthur Jones, 76, died in the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, last night.

After suffering a stroke 12 years previously, father-of-three Mr Jones had been cared for by his daughter, Diane, at her home in Berkshire, for many years.

He later moved to a care home near his son, Ivor, in Ingelby Barwick, near Stockton.

The Alzheimer's sufferer was transferred from Ingelby Barwick Nursing Home to the University Hospital of North Tees.

Teesside Coroner's Court heard that Mr Jones had probably fallen during the night of September 6 and broken his thigh.

The grandfather-of-eight had then contracted pneumonia. He died on September 15.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded a verdict of accidental death following a fall.

He said: "I hope the family can take some comfort from these proceedings, particularly after the many years of care at home with his daughter."