A CORONER found a 33-year-old Leigh teacher had not meant to kill herself when she took a fatal overdose.

Karen Ashley, of Elizabeth Street, died from lethal doses of prescribed medication -- dothiepin and propranol on June 18 last year.

At an inquest at Leigh Town Hall, coroner Aidan Cotter recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said the overdose was more likely to have been a "cry for help".

Miss Ashley was found by neighbour Martine McMahon after she had taken the overdose.

Mrs McMahon said in a written statement: "Before she went inside she asked me if I would always remember her.

"I was concerned by this and a few minutes later I went into her house.

"She could not hold her cigarette properly and I asked her what tablets she had taken."

Miss McMahon phoned the emergency services after finding empty tablet foils.

She added: "We had talked about plans for the future. I don't believe she intended to kill herself."

Miss Ashley, who had a degree in business studies from Manchester Polytechnic and who had later qualified as a teacher, was known to have abused alcohol for many years.

And family and friends said at the inquest Miss Ashley, who worked as a supply teacher, had been deeply upset and ashamed by a drink driving conviction for which she had been placed on probation.

Her mother Pamela Donnelly said: "She had made a few attempts at trying to control her drinking but she failed to do so.

"I thought her life was getting better. She had just qualified as a teacher and said she had found the love of her life. But then she was prosecuted for drink driving."

Coroner Mr Cotter said that the amounts of dothiepin and propranol taken by Miss Ashley would on their own have been able to kill her.

He said: "She was an unstable girl who wanted attention. I believe it was an accident."