TWO nurses at Whiston Hospital are to face misconduct charges after they were accused of "significantly" contributing to the death of a great grandfather in 2011.

Colin Whalley, who suffered from lung disease, died in Whiston Hospital in November 2011, two days after being admitted with breathing problems.

Mary Pendleton and Mary Sanchez, who at the time were employed by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital Trust are due to go before the Nursing and Midwifery Council for a three day hearing.

The allegation is that Mr Whalley, from Dentons Green was given the correct amount of the aminophylline over a 24 hour period on November 17 and their actions "significantly contributed" to Mr Whalley's death.

Mary Sanchez is accused of failing to administer the medication and it is alleged Mary Pendleton, as the second checker, didn't ensure the medication was given.

Speaking to the Star in November 2013 his widow Norma said: "He was a kind, caring family man who worked hard all his life to give us all a better future."

Mr Whalley had worked in the newspaper industry all his life. He worked as a sales representative for the Liverpool Echo in St Helens and his family ran a newsagents on Hard Lane.