A woman who was "excited to go on holiday" and had plans for the future died as a result of misadventure through medication, an inquest has concluded.

Carol Brierley, 61, from Nelson, was found dead by her friend of 38 years David Best at her caravan after she failed to turn up to work at Burnley General Hospital on Friday, June 16.

An inquest at Blackburn Town Hall into her death heard she had been with her husband for 30 years, but two years prior to her death Nicholas Brierley moved out of the family home.

Nicholas was present at the inquest and said in a statement: "She ended up feeling more like a sister than wife.

"We struggled after many years of happiness after meeting in a pub so long ago.

"Carol struggled to cope without me and could not eat. She showed emotions differently and was less cuddly.

"I thought she must have been desperate to take that step and was always calling. There was nothing I could say to make her feel better when I moved out in May. She was a lot worse and emotional when she realised I was not coming back."

Carol's GP, who saw her just over a week before she died, reported that she had been looking forward to going on holiday despite previous reports of anxiety.

Carol was on painkillers for a hip condition and had been left "devastated" at separating from her husband, but was slowly improving, the GP added.

However she had made plans for the future including a nail appointment two days later, and was excited for her dream holiday to Greece the week after her death.

Her daughter Lauren said in a statement: "My mum was the matriarch of the family. She was so strong and no one would have crossed her.

"We were so shocked. I believe it was a mistake from my mother, with the holiday and nail appointment booked and work uniform pressed for the next day.

"She never said she thought of suicide and spoke strongly against it with members of our family and friends going through it in the past.

"She was upset with end of the marriage but she began to feel better."

Police interviewed other neighbours such as Janet Richardson at the caravan park where Carol lived, who did not see anything suspicious the night before she died.

Tests revealed that Carol had potentially fatal levels of painkillers in her system at the time of her death, along with the anti-depressant sertraline.

The court heard that Carol had previously expressed concerns that her medication wasn't at a sufficiently high level and wished for a higher dosage.

Coroner Kate Bisset said: "I am not satisfied that she intended to take her own life.

"She was distressed but she was also a very strong woman and had taken steps to improve her mood.

"Things, for the first time, were turning a corner. She had an appointment and she was looking forward to going on holiday. She had an awful lot to live for."

Ms Bisset gave a conclusion of death as misadventure.