A PENSIONER died after falling during a visit to his son's new home.

John Ballentyne, 87, and his wife, Joan, 86, had travelled from Northamptonshire to see their son Billy's home in County Durham.

Mr Ballentyne stumbled on his slipper and broke his leg at the house in Woodland, near Bishop Auckland.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, on March 30.

At Mr Ballentyne's inquest in Darlington, yesterday, Durham Coroner Colin Penna was told that he developed problems while recovering from an operation. Checks showed he had suffered a mild heart attack.

Mr Ballentyne, of Corby, eventually died on April 6.

A report by pathologist Dr Ursula Earl said he had died of bronchio-pneumonia. A secondary cause was heart disease.

Mr Penna recorded a verdict of accidental death.