A YOUNG mum whose life was in turmoil hanged herself while her three sons aged 12, seven and three, were downstairs at their home.

An inquest heard that the boys discovered their mum, Carole Smith, suspended from a rope fixed in the attic space. There was a pair of stepladders lying on the stairs.

And coroner Michael Singleton said the death represented a tragedy of enormous proportions, with the three young boys left without a mother.

Miss Smith's mum, Mavis Boyle, of Haston Lee Avenue, Brownhill, Blackburn, told how her daughter had been married but there were problems with the relationship and with money, which eventually ended in divorce and bankruptcy.

Around the time of the divorce, in 1999, Carole also suffered from depression but she sought medical help and was referred to the psychiatric unit at Queens Park Hospital.

Doctors offered her an in-patient place but Carole declined because she was responsible for the care of her three sons.

She received treatment at the day centre but eventually reported to staff that she felt much better, a view she confirmed in a follow-up call.

Mrs Boyle said her daughter, a qualified nurse who was studying for a law degree, was a very private person who didn't open up about her problems.

"I knew she had been depressed but thought she was getting over it," said Mrs Boyle.

"My youngest daughter got married in August and Carole looked well. I thought then she had turned the corner."

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Michael Singleton said it was quite clear that Miss Smith was ill.

"Having obtained medical assistance in 1999, for some reason she did not go back to the doctors and seek the help of the psychiatric services," said Mr Singleton.

"This is a tragedy of enormous proportions with three young boys left without their mother. It seems that this young lady was suffering from depression and it is a great shame she was not the kind of person who could talk things through with the people who loved her."