AN 81-year-old woman died instantly when she was in collision with a car as she crossed a Bishop Auckland road, an inquest heard yesterday.

Widow Jennie Dargue, of Dorset Place, Henknowle, suffered multiple injuries in the accident in Woodhouse Lane on Tuesday night.

The car involved was a Rover 600 driven by a 44-year-old man from Bishop Auckland. Both he and his 17-year-old son, who was a passenger, were unhurt.

South Durham Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the inquest yesterday so that police could make further inquiries.

Officers from the police accident unit are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 0191-386-4929.