A pensioner enjoying his wedding anniversary suffered a fractured skull when he was blown over by a gust of wind, an inquest heard.

James Tattersall – known as Jim - died within hours of the fall, which occurred during Storm Ali as he and his wife Anne strolled along Mostyn Street, Llandudno, on September 19 last year.

They were spending their 55th anniversary in the resort, which they both loved.

At the hearing in Ruthin Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, read a statement from Mrs Tattersall in which she said her 85-year-old husband, a retired engineer, had become a little more frail in recent months.

As they were walking towards the Ambassador Hotel a gust almost blew them over so they linked arms.

Another strong gust then blew her over backwards while her husband was blown sideways, hitting his head on the pavement. Two police officers who happened to be passing went to their assistance.

Mrs Tattersall injured her head and hip and was also taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital. Her husband, whose head was bleeding, was unconscious and his condition deteriorated.

A CT scan showed he had fractured his skull and had a massive bleed on the brain, and he died the following day.

In her statement Mrs Tattersall, of Rpthesay Road, Brierfield, Nelson, Lancashire, said her husband was a sociable character who sang in church and male voice choirs.

“We had 55 years of happiness together,” she said.

The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Immediately after the incident Mrs Tattersall, a mother of two, said the family had been going to Llandudno since their daughters were small .

“We loved walking around the town and along the promenade,” she said. “We were both having a lovely time to celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary.”