A SUPER-fit young woman who collapsed and died at home may have suffered a diabetic attack, even though nobody suspected she had the condition.

Vicky Stockton, 23, of Beechthorpe Avenue, Waddington, was training for a career in the Army when she died on September 1.

At an inquest at Burnley Magistrates' Court, pathologist Dr Abdul Ad-daid said he had been unable to find a definite cause of death, although a very high blood sugar suggested she may have died from a diabetic attack.

Neither Miss Stockton, a former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil, nor her parents, had ever suspected she suffered from the condition, the inquest was told.

Her father Christopher said she spent the evening of her death with him and her boyfriend. Just after midnight, the family went to bed and she stayed downstairs to make a drink.

Mr Stockton said he called goodnight, but got no answer.

He went downstairs and found her on the floor.

It is thought she had been practising sit-ups in preparation for her final Army selection weekend, which was set for the end of the month.

She had been ill with a cold a week before, but had recovered.

She had also been working on her dissertation for the MA at Lancaster University.

Mr Stockton said: "She was the most focused person I have ever known.

"She decided she wanted to join the Army and was working hard.

"She was the happiest she had been for a long time and living life to the full."

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

He said: "It seems almost wrong to suggest cause of death is natural because from her family's point of view it is anything but natural." Speaking after the hearing Miss Stockton's mother Julie said: "We were prepared we might not find anything concrete, although the possibility of Vicky being diabetic was a bombshell because we had never noticed symptoms of anything like that."

Miss Stockton had recently had short-sightedness corrected with laser surgery, and her eyes were donated after her death.

Her mother said: "We are glad her wish for her organs to be donated was fulfilled and we would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to find some answers over her death."