An elderly woman died after being hit by a lorry as she crossed the road, an inquest heard.

Jean Royce, 80, of Clarendon Villas, Hove, who was going to a lunch meeting with friends, died shortly after the accident in Sackville Road, Hove, in May.

The inquest heard that while the lorry was stopped at a pedestrian crossing, Mrs Royce approached from the back and started to cross the road immediately in front of the lorry just as the lights changed.

The driver, an Italian who was delivering furniture from Italy, did not see her as he pulled away.

The inquest was told how emergency services found her trapped under the lorry. It took 25 minutes to free her.

She suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

The lorry driver Antonio Stasi, 44, from Pistoia, did not attend the hearing. He is not facing any charges in connection with the accident.

A statement he made to police was read out at the hearing.

Mr Stasi said he had 23 years' experience as a lorry driver and was familiar with the area where the accident happened.

PC Michael Skingle, who investigated the accident, said: "I am convinced if she had crossed on the crossing the driver would have seen her."

Brighton and Hove Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley recorded a verdict of accidental death.