A BLACKBURN mother who lived a "tragic" life died after drugs she was taking for depression accumulated in her system, an inquest heard.

The Blackburn hearing was told that Sharon Richardson, 37, of Hollin Bridge Street, Blackburn, was taking a number of drugs to combat depression and infections she developed after having a "stomach stapling" operation to tackle her obesity.

Her care worker Barbara Tiffin told the inquest that on February 24 she went to Mrs Richardson's house to find the door open and Mrs Richardson on the settee.

She was unable to get a response from her and called an ambulance but she was already dead.

A post mortem examination revealed that levels of one of the drugs she was taking was four times the "therapeutic level".

Dr Richard Prescott, who carried out the examination said Mrs Richardson was suffering from a "fatty liver", meaning the liver was unable to remove the drug from her body, resulting in her death.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, coroner Michael Singleton said he was satisfied that Mrs Richardson had not attempted to take a deliberate overdose.

"It seems to me her death was simply following on a long line of tragedy and suffering in her life.

"The fact that she leaves a daughter simply compounds that tragedy." he added.