Gran Kathleen Morse drowned in front of her horrified husband after falling into the River Avon.

Mrs Morse, 81, fell into the river at Avon Weir, Christian Malford, last Thursday while out walking her dog with husband Peter.

Mr Morse, who is also in his eighties, immediately called the emergency services from the riverbank.

Chippenham Police were alerted at 4.14pm shortly before the paramedics and fire service.

After pulling Mrs Morse from the river, paramedics used defibrillators, CPR and mouth-to-mouth to try and revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mrs Morse was well known within the Christian Malford community where she lived for most of her life.

Coun Christine Crisp, chairman of the North Wiltshire District Council, lives in the village and has paid tribute to the mother-of-two.

She said: "I was fortunate enough to meet Kath on a few occasions - and each time she was extremely lovely.

"I will always remember her riding her bike to the village shop each morning to pick up a paper several years back.

"She was quite reclusive and kept herself to herself - but she was a long-standing member of the community.

"Her children were always quite actively involved with the different groups and clubs in the area. Her tragic death has come as such a shock to the whole village - she will be sorely missed I am sure."

It is not yet understood how Mrs Morse fell into the river, but police have said they are not treating her death as suspicious.

Sgt Steve Cox, of Chippenham Police, said: "This is a tragic accident and we believe there are no suspicious circumstances.

"On arrival, paramedics did everything they could to save her - but she had already died. There was little her husband could do as he is an elderly man himself - our sympathies go out to the family."

Mrs Morse's son, John, who works in Chippenham, has said he is too upset to talk about his mother's death.

An inquest into Mrs Morse's death is due to be opened next week.

Her funeral will take place at All Saints Church, Christian Malford on September 18 at 10am. The family have asked for donations to be made to the orthopaedic ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

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