The family of a Llangollen women believe that an ambulance delay may have played a part in her death.

But at an inquest in Ruthin a coroner refused to seek evidence of other possible ambulance delays in the area.

Elaine Hidden, 51, died at her home in Llwynmawr, Llangollen, on February 26, 2018, and a full inquest was due to be held in Ruthin on Friday.

However Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, said it would have to be adjourned because the report into the investigation by the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust had not yet been received and because the Hidden family had only recently engaged a barrister, Victoria Roberts.

Few details of the background emerged at the hearing but Mrs Lees said a post-mortem examination had revealed that Mrs Hidden, who had a history of breathing problems, had died of aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when a person inhales food or saliva, and chronic asthma.

The coroner said she was aware of the “family’s concerns” about the ambulance response to their 999 calls and whether the calls had been coded correctly.

Details of the calls and of WAST’s investigation will be revealed at the full hearing.

Miss Roberts asked for details of other possible delays in the area but Mrs Lees said: “I understand why you want it but it is difficult for me to order that. Over what timescale would it be for?

“I am not convinced at this stage about the relevance of other possible ambulance delays in the area to the death of Mrs Hidden.”

She asked Miss Roberts to put her request in writing for it to be considered.

Miss Roberts also told the hearing that the family had concerns about the post-mortem report as it made no mention of possible food poisoning even though Mrs Hidden had been vomiting and had diarrhea on the morning of her death, having had a takeaway curry the previous evening.

Mrs Lees said she would seek further details from the pathologist.

Another pre-hearing will be held in about a month’s time and the full inquest is expected to be held later this year.