AN inquest opened yesterday into the death of a care worker who died in a kitchen accident.

Linda Hayes, 51, slipped causing a knife to plunge into her throat and was pronounced dead on arrival at Durham's University Hospital of North Durham.

She was working at Brockwell Court Nursing Home, in Consett, County Durham.

Her daughter Janet also worked at the premises and it is understood she was in the kitchen at the time of the accident, last Thursday.

A brief inquest hearing, at the hospital, was adjourned pending further inquiries into the accident, which will include a report by the Health and Safety inspectors.

Mrs Hayes, of Watling Bungalows, Leadgate, near Consett, was married with two daughters, and is a twin to brother Richard.

A funeral service takes place at St Ives Church, Leadgate, on Friday, at 12.30pm, prior to cremation at Mountsett Crematorium.