DESPERATE staff at a learning disability centre attempted to save a woman as she was choking on a sandwich in the toilets, an inquest heard.

Linda Wilmore had been under the care of West Berkshire Mencap in Newbury for more than seven years when she was found slumped next to the toilet bowl on December 19.

The 54-year-old, who had down syndrome and a history of heart problems, sparked concern after disappearing one lunchtime.

Mencap volunteers struggled for several minutes to open the cubicle door, which was blocked by her foot, and she was pronounced dead at the scene after staff and emergency services attempted CPR.

Ms Wilmore had been at the facility since 2010 in a single flat and would often make her own lunch despite having a history of choking on food due her condition.

Rachel Cullingham, service manager for Mencap, said: "She was one of the more independent people we looked after at the time.

"She received 49 hours of direct care every week and we always had people on hand to monitor her condition on a daily basis.

"Linda was very happy and popular. She loved watching Jeremy Kyle and always made her own breakfast and packed lunches."

As well as being diagnosed with down syndrome, Ms Wilmore also had a pacemaker fitted after doctors found a hole in her heart.

Staff routinely monitored her diet with a weekly diary due to her dairy intolerance and volunteers at a previous centre warned she may be susceptible to choking.

Her brother Colin appeared at the inquest and said she would often eat her food too quickly.

Emma Jones, assistant coroner for Berkshire, recorded a conclusion of accidental death during the inquest at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, July 6.

She concluded: "I am satisfied that staff did all they could to look after Linda. If it is any consolation to the family, it is clear to me that Linda was a very popular character.

"It seems that a significant block in her windpipe, caused by her eating too fast, is the reason for her death."