The inquest into the death of Tracey Ullman's mother in a house fire was formally opened today.

An inquest relating to 85-year-old Doreen Skinner's death at her home in Kiln Court, Holtspur, on Monday night was opened at Beaconsfield Coroner's Court.

The court heard a post mortem had determined Mrs Skinner died as a result of 'the effects of fire'.

The inquest heard she was found by firefighters in the bedroom of the property, with an initial assessment by fire crews giving the cause of the fire being from Mrs Skinner smoking in bed.

The hearing was adjourned by coroner Richard Hulett, with a provisional date of July 8 set for concluding the proceedings.