A widower told an inquest he believed his wife died as a result of being left dehydrated during a three week hospital stay.

Audrey Reynolds died at Amersham Hospital on January 8, having been transferred there from another hospital in Worcestershire following a hip operation.

The cause of death for the 88-year-old voluntary worker was given as cardiac failure due to renal failure caused by vascular disease.

Stephen Corrigan, who carried out the post mortem, said Mrs Reynolds suffered a lack of elasticity in her main arteries - raising her blood pressure and making it more difficult for blood to be pumped around her body.

He said Mrs Reynolds' underlying health problems would have been exacerbated if she was dehydrated, saying it was his theory this caused her death.

Mrs Reynolds' husband, Geoffrey, told Wednesday's inquest at Beaconsfield Coroner's Court: "I'm convinced she was dehydrated at the hospital where she was for three weeks before coming to Amersham.

"I think there's a combination of her not being treated in the way I would have expected her to have treated, and the fact she may have had a bit of a bladder problem.

"That led me to believe she was dehydrated."

Mr Reynolds added he did not blame the staff at Amersham Hospital for his wife's death, telling the inquest: "They did everything they could to alleviate the situation. Obviously it was too late."

Coroner Richard Hulett ruled Mrs Reynolds, of Wheelers Orchard, Chalfont St Peter, died of natural causes.