A pensioner suffering from dementia walked nearly seven miles from Headington to Wheatley before dying of hypothermia, an inquest heard today.

Molvie Chambers, of Church Lane, Marston, disappeared from the Co-op in London Road shortly before 4.30pm on April 11.

The 84-year-old, who suffered from arthritis in her right knee, had taken the bus to the supermarket with part-time nurse Sylvia Mairs, who said she left her to rest near the checkout while she shopped for lemonade.

Less than five minutes later, Mrs Chambers — who had a history of wandering off — had disappeared.

At Oxford Coroner's Court, Ms Mairs said: "We went into the Co-op and she said she wanted to sit down. When I had picked up the lemonade and came back, she had disappeared.

"I rushed out of the shop, but I didn't know which direction she had gone."

The next day, Mrs Chambers was spotted wandering along the A40 and resting in a field near Wheatley, but — despite a large-scale search — police could not find her.

Two dog walkers stumbled across her body in a field near Roman Way shortly after 7am on Sunday, April 13.

Pathologist Dr Gareth Turner said she died of hypothermia.

Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a narrative verdict.