AN argument after a minor collision between a van and a car in a quiet lane ended with the death of a pensioner, police said last night.

Wendy Doyle, 61, died two days after an argument with a neighbour over the accident.

Police said she died from a suspected fractured skull at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

They said the tragedy happened after a minor accident at 7.20pm on Saturday, in Millbank Terrace, in the former mining community of Shotton Colliery, County Durham.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Nail said that, following the collision, an argument had arisen that appeared to focus on the positioning of a van.

He said: "We believe there was a heated dispute between the victim, her daughter and a male neighbour, which resulted in the pensioner being injured."

Mrs Doyle is understood to have fallen to the ground during the argument, banging her head and sustaining a serious injury.

She was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool and was later transferred to the James Cook, where she died yesterday afternoon.

Det Chief Insp Nail appealed for anyone who might have seen the incident to contact the police.

Fighting back tears, neighbours described their huge sense of loss over the death of Mrs Doyle, who only hours before the incident had carried the village's pit banner, at the head of Shotton's annual carnival parade, with her son, Owen.

Lifelong friend and neighbour Carol Patterson, 51, last night described how, through her tireless community work, Mrs Doyle had been one of the best-known and loved residents in the village.

She was secretary of the community association and a former caretaker at the community centre.

Mrs Doyle was born and bred in Shotton - her unmarried named was Thornton - and she was one of its most respected residents.

Mrs Patterson said her friend had lost her husband, James, four years ago, and despite her own recent ailing health, would do anything to help anyone.

She said: "She was involved in many organisations, from mother and toddler's groups to play schemes, as well as being a stalwart of the community centre from its foundation in the 1970s."

The mother of two children, Hayley and Owen, Mrs Doyle was well known by generations of children, having been the lollipop lady at Shotton Primary School, and before that at North Blunts School, in Peterlee.

Mrs Patterson's daughter, Carrie- Ann, 20, said: "We can't believe what's happened. She was like a mother to me."

Neighbours and close friends Stephen and Pam Edwards were also in a state of shock over what happened.

The couple were at home on Saturday evening when the incident happened, and struggled to express their distress.

Mrs Edwards said: "Two households have now been destroyed over what has happened.

"We love living in Millbank Terrace, but I doubt it will ever be the same again. I don't know how we will all recover."

* A 30-year-old man from the village has been arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed pending further inquiries. Police are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity and may have witnessed the incident to contact them on 0845-60-60-365.