THE death of a mother who took an overdose of pills could have been a cry for help that went tragically wrong, an inquest heard.

Barbara Berry, of Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington, was discovered by her daughter Joanne after she had taken several packets of anti-depressant tablets, the hearing was told.

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but died the following day, on April 29.

Toxicology results revealed that she had taken over four times the amount of her Citalopram medication.

Miss Berry, also of Ribblesdale Avenue, told the inquest that her mother had tried to take her own life on several occasions but had always apologised and promised never to do it again.

When Miss Berry returned from a trip to Ireland to find her mother with several empty packets of medication next to her, she asked the 59-year-old where the tablets had gone.

Her mother told her she had taken them and said I know I have been stupid.' No suicide note was left.

The former landlady had a history of depression and alcohol abuse.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded an open verdict after stating that it was unclear if Mrs Berry had deliberately intended to take her own life.