A FORMER Westhoughton headteacher was found dead in a canal near to her home.

Mary Fleming, of Manchester Road, Astley, was found drowned in the Bridgewater Canal, after suffering depression over what started as toothache, an inquest heard.

The 70-year-old, who had never married, had worked her way up to become a headteacher at Sacred Heart Infant School, Westhoughton, where she had attended as a pupil.

Miss Fleming had left her home at 5am on December 6 last year and gone to the canal where she hung her coat on a stock gate and left her shoes neatly next to it. A man walking his dog later found Miss Fleming in the water and contacted the canal banksman who called the police.

Miss Fleming had been healthy all her life and very active until she started having dental problems last year. A constant toothache led to 13 visits to the dentist and 12 visits to the doctor.

After months of dental work for one particular tooth, she insisted the tooth be removed.

Yet, there was still a problem and it was discovered that a chip on her jaw bone had led to an infection. She was later referred to Hope Hospital where she was told her cholesterol was high and that lifestyle changes were needed. Her brother, Brendan Fleming, said his sister had never been a smoker, drinker or even eaten a lot and that the diagnosis had worried her.

She was given beta-blockers and her personality changed overnight. Mr Fleming said: "She became like a zombie. She didn't like being in crowded places and, from the first day of taking those tablets, could never sleep.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded a verdict that Miss Fleming had taken her own life, but while the balance of her mind was disturbed. She said: "The problem of the painful illness with the lack of sleep is a significant factor.