AN elderly widow died of hypothermia after probably collapsing in her garden after she went outside in the night when she fell ill, an inquest has heard.

The body of retired housekepper Patricia Cottey, 86, was discovered by a neighbour, who climbed over her fence after becoming concerned as she had not taken her milk in or answered the door to the hairdresser.

Senior Somerset coroner Tony Williams recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the inquest into her death on or about November 30 last year outside her home in Creedwell Close, Milverton.