An inquest heard Mrs Elizabeth Jephson suffered a fractured neck in the collision in Accrington Road, Whalley on January 2nd.

The inquest was told how, after colliding with Mrs Jephson's Rover, a Mercedes driven by Mr Richard Cook hit a Volvo that was following.

Another motorist, driving his pregnant wife from a hospital check-up, told how he swerved into a layby to avoid being hit by the Mercedes, which was on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Martin Wrigley told the inquest he had gone through the lights at Spring Wood picnic site when he saw car headlights pull out of oncoming traffic and head straight for them. "Fortunately there was a layby on my left and I was able to pull in there to avoid the oncoming car. As I looked in the mirror I saw there had been a collision."

Mr Ian McTurk told the inquest he was travelling behind the Mercedes and saw it drift into the opposite carriageway. "I could see a disaster happening, it was all rather surreal. He wasn't indicating and there was nothing to give a clue as to what he was intending. There was no apparent slowing down or speeding up."

Mr John Cowking was following Mrs Jephson. He saw Mr Wrigley take evasive action and then saw the Mercedes his Mrs Jephson's Rover, which was knocked backwards and hit his car. The Mercedes then hit him head on.

"I didn't think the car in front had any opportunity to avoid the collision," he said.

Mr Cook, of Read Hall Farm, Read, previously admitted driving without due care and attention at Blackburn Magistrates' Court. He was banned from driving for three months, fined £500 with £75 costs and ordered to take a re-test before driving again.

At court he blamed a lapse of concentration. He told police he thought he was closer to where the road widened into a dual carriageway and had thought he was pulling into the outside lane rather than the opposite carriageway.

The medical cause of death was given as neck, chest and leg injuries and coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death.