A woman who was injured during a May Day festival in Cornwall has died in hospital.

Laura Smallwood, 34, collapsed with a neck injury during the annual Obby Oss celebrations in Padstow on Wednesday and died on Saturday morning.

The mother-of-two was reportedly injured after a wooden hobby horse ‘smacked her in the face’ during the May Day parade. 

Police have appealed for witnesses and said officers were “following a number of lines of inquiry”, including reports she may have been hit by the Blue Ribbon Oss or may have been assaulted.

The family has been informed and has asked for privacy.

DI Paul Norlund said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Laura’s family at this very sad time. We continue to follow a number of lines of inquiry to establish how Laura sustained her injuries.

“At this time, we would like to hear from any witnesses and anyone with information, particularly anyone with any relevant mobile phone or camera footage taken around the event.”

The traditional event features two hobby horses – Old Oss and Blue Ribbon Oss – that are worn by male dancers who parade through the town. 

The hobby horses are large oval frames covered in black oilskin. They have a small horse’s head at the front. 

The origins are unclear.