Paramedics refused to take a mother-of-two who suffered a stroke to hospital because they believed she was only intoxicated.

Claire Mozaffari, 33, collapsed at her home in Gateshead after returning from a night out with friends in Newcastle.

Deprived of urgent medical assistance for nine-and-a-half hours, her condition continued to deteriorate, before she fell into a coma several days later.

Despite explaining to paramedics tending to Ms Mozaffari that she had only drunk five pints of lager, her family were advised that the most suitable course of action was to leave her on the sofa to sober up.