NO direct charges will be faced by a woman over the death of an East Lancashire shopkeeper.

And Hayley Fulleylove has also seen told an accusation of robbery, involving the late Earby greengrocer Harry Morris, has been dropped.

But the 40-year-old is still due to face trial over a theft offence involving Mr Morris, who died following an incident at his Water Street shop on June 4.

She will also face a jury on January 21 on a related charge of taking a Land Rover Freelander on the same date, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Fulleylove is also set to face a separate trial on May 5 over earlier charges involving Mr Morris ' stepdaughter, the court heard.

She was pleaded not guilty to an affray charge and assaulting Sally Iridenko on April 23 this year.

Prosecutor Francis McEntee said a taxi driver, who dropped off Fulleylove at Mr Morris' shop on June 4, had witnessed a struggle between the pair near the shop's doorway.

The court heard Mr Morris appeared to be escorting the woman out of the shop, while she asked him for money.

Mr Morris "fell back and hit his head on the door", said Mr McEntee, before Fulleylove fell on top of him.

A report by expert forensic pathologist Dr Daniel Du Plessis confirmed though that any injury he may have suffered as a result of the confrontation could not have been caused by Fulleylove.

"Whatever the circumstances of the struggle, there is no suggestion of the defendant doing anything other than passively resisting a no doubt proper attempt to remove her from the premises, added Mr McEntee.