As revealed in the Echo, a police investigation was launched into the death of Sunderland grandmother Barbara French, after a doctor identified a "causal" link between the mobility scooter incident and her death 12 weeks later.

The 84-year-old died at Sunderland Royal Hospital, where she was taken after suffering a broken hip when she was hit by a buggy in Hendon.

Police informally interviewed a woman after an appeal for information, and a file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

As electric buggies are not motor vehicles, riders cannot be prosecuted for a motoring offence, but they could be taken to court for assault or manslaughter.

However, Northumbria Police today confirmed that CPS officials had decided not to bring any legal charges as there was "no case to answer".

Mrs French – whose husband John, a plumber, died in 1963 – was born in the East End and lived at sheltered housing at Nelson Close, near to where the accident happened just after noon on May 14.

It is thought she was using her wheeled walking frame to keep her steady as she was waiting to cross Toward Road. She was knocked to the ground by an electric-powered mobility scooter, which left the scene.

Mrs French underwent surgery to repair her broken hip five days later, but failed to recover and died on August 6. Although there will not be a court case to reveal information about the incident, her family could still get to hear some details of what happened.

City Coroner Derek Winter is expected to hold a full inquest into her death in due course.

It is believed the hearing could also include evidence about safety concerns surrounding disability buggies.

Mrs French's family did not wish to comment on the decision and are awaiting the inquest.