A PENSIONER committed suicide after becoming distressed about the alleged theft of her cash, an inquest heard.

Hilda Robinson, 79, was found hanging from a silk scarf secured to her kitchen door handle. She also named the thief' in notes left before she took her own life.

But after the hearing, in Blackburn, police said there was unsufficient evidence to charge anyone.

Mrs Robinson lived in sheltered accommodation in Riddings Lane, Whalley, and staff discovered her on February 12 after she failed to respond to her morning call.

Her sister, Margaret Whittaker, said Mrs Robinson had been upset because she believed another woman had been stealing money from her. When she took her birthday present round in January, Mrs Robinson said "I wish I wasn't here."

Mrs Whittaker said: "It didn't enter my head she would do anything." She claimed her sister was terrified of the woman, who she alleged had taken money from her bank accounts.

"On the Friday before she died she asked if I would go into Clitheroe with her to see how much had been taken from her."

The inquest heard that as well as several notes, one saying she was "sick and fed up of living", £1,015 was found at Mrs Robinson's home.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict that she killed herself.

Afterwards, a police spokesman said: "Inquiries were undertaken regarding claims of theft but were there was not sufficient evidence to take them further."