A RECOVERING heroin addict died after accidentally taking a methadone overdose.

Mother-of-two Julie Eddleton, 33, died at her home in Church on November 7.

She had more than 400mg of methadone per litre of blood in her system, an amount which is often associated with fatalities.

Patricia Culshaw, Julie's mother, said she was aware her daughter had been a heroin user and was taking prescribed methadone as a heroin substitute.

She said Julie had suffered fits of depression and taken overdoses of anti-depressants but seemed to be better since moving from Blackburn to Walmsley Close, Church.

Mrs Culshaw tried to call her daughter on November 5 and 6 and by Thursday November 7 had grown worried.

She said: "I was concerned since my other daughter checked with the chemist to see if Julie had collected her methadone and was told she had not."

Mrs Culshaw contacted the police and two officers went to Julie's house. PC Wendy Campbell discovered Julie's body on the settee. There was a methadone bottle containing the liquid in her hand.

A letter was also found which talked about Julie's plans for the future. Coroner Michael Singleton said this and other notes indicated she did not intend to take her life.

He said: "Clearly this is a girl that was trying her best to overcome her addiction and it seems tragic that in doing so it has brought about an untimely end to her life."

He recorded a verdict of misadventure.