The death of an Ilkley pensioner could not be blamed on the treatment she received in hospital, an inquest ruled.

Beryl Elmslie, 73, died from natural causes in Leeds General Infirmary after suffering a serious stroke, Leeds Coroner's Court heard.

But Mrs Elmslie, of The Lutyens, Ilkley, may have contributed to her own death after she twice accidentally removed tubes supplying oxygen to her brain while in the hospital.

Giving evidence to Leeds Coroner's Court, consultant neuro-pathologist Arundatti Chakrabarty, who carried out the post mortem on Mrs Elmslie, said the loss of oxygen might have affected her condition.

"It would be foolish to say that this had had no effect at all," she said. "But because the brain was already compromised, it was already functioning at a very low level."

Doctor Chakrabarty said Mrs Elmslie's death on August 10 had been caused by a long-standing 'degenerating disease' which had caused the blood and oxygen supply to her brain to be reduced.

She had suffered a number of strokes over the years, but the most serious occurred in July last year after she spent an evening out in Ilkley.

Mrs Elmslie was admitted to Airedale General Hospital on July 13, but her condition was so serious she was transferred to Leeds.

While being treated at the infirmary, Mrs Elmslie was dropped on the ward by a member of staff, but this was ruled to have had no effect on her condition.

Although Mrs Elmslie suffered bruising to her head, Coroner David Hinchliff said: "There is nothing to suggest that this incident was a contributory factor."

In a statement, Mrs Elmslie's son Andrew said: "We regard the hospital's care as faultless throughout and we would like to thank the staff for all their valiant efforts to save my mother."

A verdict of death by natural causes was recorded.