An elderly woman was found naked, covered in bruises and curled up in a ball a day before she died, an inquest heard.

The court heard Bessie Prideaux, 92, of Wharf Road, Eastbourne, had woken neighbours in a row of terrace houses with shouts of: "Help me, help me," and "No Caroline, no Caroline," in the early hours of January 16.

Her daughter, Caroline Prideaux, 56, who lived with her mother, found her crawling around her bedroom on all fours, naked, later the same morning.

Neighbour Janet Smith had gone round to check Bessie, also known as Betty, was okay and was asked by Miss Prideaux to call an ambulance.

Ambulance paramedic Steve Burton told the court he found Mrs Prideaux on the floor, in a ball, bruised and freezing to the touch.

Mrs Prideaux was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital, where she died the next day.

A pathologist report revealed she had 53 injuries on her head and body.

Miss Prideaux said her mother had fallen out of bed a number times and believed the bruising had come from her falls.

The pathologist report said Mrs Prideaux had died from heart disease.

A police inquiry into Mrs Prideaux's death was conducted but closed without any action taken against her daughter.

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.