A mother who developed a potentially lethal blood clot days after having a baby endured a terrifying 14-hour wait in Southend A&E before being seen by a doctor.

Helen Barnes, from Albion Road, Benfleet, gave birth to her daughter, Katrina, at home on February 6 but five days later began to suffer severe pains in her lower leg.

An emergency doctor sent her to A&E with her sister Pamela but she was left waiting until the next morning before being seen by a doctor despite needing to breastfeed her child.

Southend Hospital pledged to investigate.

* Full story in today's Echo