A 74-YEAR-OLD woman died at her home on Christmas Day because of shock and haemorrhage due to a stab wound to the right of the neck which severed an artery, it was stated at the opening of an inquest on Thursday.

Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said this had been the finding of Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers.

Mrs Vivienne Bryan was a retired postal worker living in a bungalow at Fairbourne in south Gwynedd.

The coroner said at the Caernarfon hearing that a person had been charged with her murder and that his inquiry would be suspended because the case would be heard at the crown court.

Thomas Bryan, 75, has been charged with the murder of his wife and remanded in custody at Mold crown court.