AN investigation has been launched following the death of an elderly woman who is believed to have been locked in a council-run day centre.

The widow suffered a massive heart attack at Christchurch Day Centre in Lymington Road, Highcliffe on September 8.

A Dorset County Council spokesman confirmed that the 89-year-old had not been seen after going to the lavatory after lunch.

He added: “She suffered a massive heart attack and sadly died.

“Regrettably she was not found until early that evening.”

Police began searching for the pensioner, who lived alone, when she was reported missing from her detached Walkford Way home in Highcliffe at 5.47pm. But her body remained undiscovered until a male cleaner raised the alarm after finding a locked toilet at 8 o’clock that same night.

Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset coroner was informed and a post mortem revealed that the pensioner had died from natural causes.

Dorset Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Andrew Archibald, Dorset County Council’s head of older people’s services, told the Daily Echo: “It is vitally important that lessons are learned from this incident and we will review our procedures accordingly.

“We have carried out a safeguarding investigation into the circumstances surrounding this delay and are formulating an action plan to address the issues it has raised.

“We have apologised to the woman’s family and are keeping them fully informed of the outcomes of our investigation.”

Cllr Andrew Cattaway, cabinet member for adult social services, said: “It is most regrettable and we were aghast when we discovered what had happened.

“Christchurch day centre is very busy with different people attending in the morning and afternoon.

“There can be as many as 70 having lunch.

“Clearly there needs to be more careful checks of every individual.

“In this case the checks didn’t work, including why this lady hadn’t got onto the bus to go back home.”

Cllr Cattaway added: “The lady’s family have been very understanding.”

North Highcliffe and Walkford ward councillor Nick Geary added: “It is very, very unfortunate that the lady was not discovered to be missing earlier.

“My sympathy goes out to the family at this difficult time.”