A retired nurse told police she was going to "'f*****g kill" her neighbour following a row over a delivery.

Yvonne Finlayson, 74, was arrested after making the threat about 72-year-old Christine Blower.

Wigan Magistrates Court heard Finlayson told a call handler she was "going to kill her, the f*****g c**t" before she hung up.

When the police operator called back, the pensioner added: "I do not f*****g care, I will f*****g kill that c**t next door. I will really do that."

The argument erupted after Blower allegedly befriended a local delivery driver identified as "Gaz".

Finlayson from Atherton, Wigan accused Blower and Gaz of taking money from her.

Posting on Facebook on the day of the incident, Blower wrote: "My next neighbour has harmed my dog with a knife please help me she is evil."

The court heard that the argument escalated when Finlayson saw a delivery to Blower’s house and "felt her nose was being rubbed in it" and said "you are buying on the strength of the money that was taken from me".

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Nick Smart, prosecuting said the call operator phoned Finlayson back as "normal procedure" before asking for her address.

He told the court: "Clearly the police were called as a response to that and the call back. Officers were dispatched to the local area and the lady concerned.

"She was arrested and taken to the local police station. She confirmed she used to be friends with Miss Blower 'but not now', but denied making the call."

Charges of assault and public order made against Finlayson were dropped after Blower died from natural causes following the argument on August 21 last year.

Finlayson pleaded guilty to a malicious communication offence and was conditionally discharged for a year.

Ian Owen, defending told the court: "This is a lady who finds herself before the court for the first time in her life at the age of 74, which in itself is a sad fact."

He added: "Over time challenges were made over the foregoing weeks and the relationship between the two ladies soured, as you can imagine."

The 74-year-old was ordered to pay £111 in costs and victim surcharge.