A mother-of-four who was convicted of a £40,000 benefit fraud has died of a suspected overdose.

Tanya Stevenson was found dead at her brother Eddie Ward's home in Lamlash Road, Blackburn, and an inquest into her death heard that empty packets of pills were found beside her.

Mr Ward said the pressure of the court case had been playing on her mind and her desperate actions may have been a cry for help.

But her husband Mark said that she had got over the case and her death could have been avoided if she had been given better psychiatric help before being released from hospital following an initial suicide attempt two days earlier.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS trust is investigating the circumstances of her release.

Tanya, who lived with Mark in Central Avenue, Clitheroe, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after taking an overdose of anti-depressants at home on Saturday March 31. Relatives believe that it may have been the effects of this overdose that actually killed her and refute that she took more pills on the Monday.

The 37-year-old was released from hospital after 13 hours, but her family claim that despite a history of self-harm she was seen only briefly by a mental health expert.

In January Tanya appeared in court and pleaded guilty to falsely claiming £40,000 in benefits over a five-year period. She was spared jail by the judge at Burnley Crown Court but was given a 10-month suspended sentence.

Mr Ward, 39, said this may have played a part in her death. He said: "It played on her mind. I picked her up from the hospital on the Saturday and she looked like a ghost. I think she wanted a break from it all, but I don't think she would have meant for this to happen."

Mr Stevenson said he believed his wife had moved on from the court case. He said: "She had put all that behind her and did not have to worry about paying the money back because she was no longer claiming benefits. I thought we had got things sorted out. We were looking to buy the house and she was planning a trip to Belfast.

"She went off to her brother's all smiles on Sunday. She gave me a kiss and told me she would see me later."

Tanya and Mark married in November 2006 after a 20-year relationship. "I feel like a jigsaw that has been blown apart and now there are pieces missing," said Mr Stevenson. "Now I will never be complete. I loved her to bits."

The family are now looking to discuss Tanya's treatment with the hospital. Mr Stevenson said: "In my opinion she was let out far too early - if she had been kept in this may never have happened."

Tanya, who spent much of her childhood in children's homes, had been particularly upset about the recent deaths of her father and grandmother, according to her husband. The family have few photos of Tanya left as she had placed many of them in her father's coffin.

She was also worried about a catalogue of health scares she had experienced, which prevented her from carrying our her work as a cleaner.

Tanya leaves her four children Kerry, 19, Katy, 17, Nicole, 15 and Matthew, seven. Mr Stevenson said: "She lived for her kids. It wasn't just her own kids she would look out for. If there was a group playing in the streets she would hand out lollies and glasses of pop. She brought happiness to everybody."

The funeral will take place at St Michael and St John's Church, Clitheroe, at 10.30am on Monday.

Lynn Wissett, director of clinical care and governance, said: "East Lancashire Hospitals NHS trust offer their condolences to the family for their loss.

The circumstances of Mrs Stevenson's discharge are being investigated."

The inquest was adjourned for further inquiries.