A 76-year-old woman who died in the town’s Marks & Spencer store appears to have choked to death in the cafe, a coroner said yesterday.

Retired maths teacher Paula Symes, from Woodstock, was out shopping with her husband James last Wednesday afternoon, coroner Darren Salter said.

Opening an inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court into her death, he said Mrs Symes had a progressive palsy which made it difficult for her to swallow.

He adjourned the inquest for more evidence to be collected and said it will be concluded on July 22.