A MOTHER who hanged herself after a break-up with her partner had not been thinking clearly when she took her own life.

Coroner Dr Robert Hunter recorded the verdict at the inquest of Shelley Lewis, of Shepherds Row, Castlefields, Runcorn, who died on November 2 last year, aged 27.

Miss Lewis's mother Jacqueline Lewis said her daughter had no medical problems in childhood or adult life. She said she tried to take an over-dose a couple of months before her death but said 'she would never go down that road again.'

She said she was 'fine, bubbly and spending time with the kids.'

Jacqueline said her daughter only drank socially and took ecstasy on a recreational basis, but the relationship with her partner could be violent.

In the last week, her mother noticed she was becoming anxious. 'She couldn't wait to get away from Runcorn,' she said.

Dr Hunter considered four letters addressed to various people which he described as 'essentially goodbye notes'.

PC Anna Henderson attended the home on Shepherds Road, Castlefields, after Shelley Lewis's ex-partner reported being concerned about her. The blinds were down and there had been no answer.

She noticed the home was secure and she kicked open the front door to find Shelley's body in her bedroom.

She said: 'She was cold. There were no significant marks. She looked peaceful in the position she was resting in on the floor.'

Detectives also scrutinised the home and police were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances.

A report to the inquest by Miss Lewis's GP revealed she had attempted to take an earlier overdose in 1992 and she was diagnosed with post-natal depression in 1999-2000.

The September 2004 over-dose involved the drug cocodamol, it said.

A post-mortem examination described a blue dressing gown cord around her neck and found the medical cause of death to be hanging.

Tests for drugs found a level of MDMA - ecstasy - consistent with recreational use.

In summing up, coroner Dr Robert Hunter said that Miss Lewis had been emotionally very attached to her partner and that documentary evidence showed she had been devastated by him leaving her.

He said there was no evidence of Miss Lewis suffering mental health problems or depressive illness and that she had left letters to people in her family who meant a lot to her.

He recorded a verdict that she intended to take her own life while the balance of her mind was temporarily upset.