A MALVERN woman found dead by her husband died of natural causes, an inquest has heard.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round recorded the verdict on Thelma Beardsley, who was found by her husband on their bedroom floor on Sunday, May 26.

He said the 67 year-old, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, had been in the garden when she was caught by a rain shower.

"Mrs Beardsley then went to the bedroom to change and her husband found her lying face down," said Mr Round.

He told the family that an inquest into the death of the retired social worker had only been necessary because she had not seen her doctor for more than a month.

This meant the GP had been unwilling to sign the death certificate, as he had not seen her and wanted to carry out some tests.

The coroner said the results confirmed that Mrs Beardsley, who lived in Gloucester Road, Welland, had died of natural causes.