Woman lay dead in home for months

Officers broke into Mrs Armstrong's home

An investigation has begun after a West Lothian pensioner lay dead in her Bathgate home for several months.

Police officers broke into the home of Agnes Armstrong, 83, on Thursday after neighbours repeatedly raised concerns.

Mrs Armstrong lived with her 51-year- old son Jack, who has a mental age of 10, and is thought not to have known what to do when his mother died.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and described the case as "tragic".

West Lothian Council social work department has said that neither of the Armstrongs was in its care.

According to a newspaper report, Mr Armstrong was being assessed by mental health experts at St John's Hospital in Livingston.

Charity's concern

A council spokeswoman said they would be working as closely as possible with the police in their investigation.

Age Concern Scotland said the death highlighted the difficulties faced by carers.

The charity's spokeswoman, Jess Barrow, said it was important that older people were allowed their independence and it was "extremely hard" for social workers to know when to intervene.