AN INQUEST has opened more than a year after a Hampshire woman was found dead at her home in Bursledon.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard 72-year-old Kitty Searles was found dead at her home in Forge Close on January 28, 2018.

In a report to the coroner, pathologist Dr Russell Delaney gave a preliminary cause of death was given as pneumonia, contributed to by a form of cancer.

Dr Delaney added morphine levels were found that raised the possibility of toxic effects on Ms Searles' body.

Senior coroner Grahame Short adjourned the inquest to October 8. No reason was given during the brief hearing for the delay in opening the inquest.