CAMPAIGNER Esther Rantzen has urged people to check on their neighbours this Christmas following the inquest into how a Bournemouth woman came to be left dead in her flat for seven years.

The hearing yesterday was told that Anne Leitrim, 58, had been facing disciplinary action at work before the time that she is believed to have died in 2007.

Her mummified body was found in her flat in Tolpuddle Gardens, Muscliff, on June 24 this year by bailiffs, who had been called because of non-payment of her mortgage.

Ms Rantzen told the Daily Echo: “I think we’re different [today] in the sense that we’re quite concerned about people’s privacy and we don’t want to intrude.”

Ms Rantzen, who founded Childline and is now behind The Silver Line, a helpline for older people, added: “I think there are a lot of people who should be asking themselves questions [in the case of Miss Leitrim].

“At Christmas we don’t want that to be on our conscience and it’s the perfect time to go round with a Christmas card and a mince pie and make sure that whoever it is, whether an elderly person or a single mum, to bang on the door and wish them a happy Christmas.”

At the inquest yesterday, PC Andrew Scarratt, who was called to the scene, said that there was a calendar on the wall of the flat dated June 2007, along with a TV guide for the week of June 16 and a huge pile of post.

A note was found, which read, incorrectly: “My doctors has done anything wrong. I love my babies. Goodbye Janet.”

A post mortem report said that the body was in ‘a state of advanced mummification’ – no cause of death could be ascertained.

In a statement, Miss Leitrim’s sister, Katherine Clarke, said that she had been born in Glasgow in October 1948.

She trained as a nurse, working in Glasgow, Barnet and St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

She bought the flat in Bournemouth in the 1970s and continued to work in London, living there while she was on duty.

Miss Leitrim lost contact with her family around 20 years ago.

Coroner’s office Allan Young said that Miss Leitrim’s GP last saw her on June 11, 2007, and reported that she had a high level of anxiety. Her bank had provided little help as to the state of her accounts.

Fiona Kennedy, from Homerton University Hospital in London, where she worked as a neonatal nurse, said that allegations had been made of inappropriate conduct towards a child in her care. She had been given a final written warning, but a back-to-work plan was put in place.

Coroner Sheriff Payne said: “She had no social life down here [in Bournemouth]; people didn’t know who she was to any great extent.”

He added: “The note is vague; it could be treated as a suicide note.”

But, he said: “But there’s no physical evidence at the scene to indicate that she’s taken her life.”

The coroner said he had no alternative but to record an open verdict.

KEEP AN EYE ON NEIGHBOURS

David Leighton, of Age UK Bournemouth, added: “People should keep an eye on their neighbours and make sure that they’ve got what they need. Do take notice and think about whether you’ve seen people for a few days.”

He urged anyone who needed help to contact organisations such as Age UK. The Bournemouth branch can be reached on 01202 530530.

The Silver Line is free and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 4 70 80 90.