HOME carer Eileen Roche was suffering from clinical depression when she took an accidental overdose.

Wiltshire and Swindon Deputy Coroner William Bache recorded an open verdict into the death of Mrs Roche, of Hazel End, Wootton Bassett, who died on September 12 last year aged 62.

The court heard that Mrs Roche was a bubbly, lively and caring person who worked as a home carer for Wiltshire County Council. In March last year she began to worry about the future, and whether to give up her job, This coincided with her last daughter leaving home to live in London.

Mrs Roche had trouble sleeping and saw a succession of doctors and a consultant psychiatrist.

She was prescribed a series of anti-depressants and tablets to help her deal with the side effects.

The court heard on September 12 she was due to go out for the day with a friend but, complaining of backache, took some paracetamol and went to bed.

When her husband Michael came home about 3pm he discovered her in her bed and called the ambulance.

Toxicology reports showed she had an overdose of paracetamol in her blood. The combination of the paracetamol with drugs that were already having an effect on her central nervous system caused her death.

Mr Bache said: "A shadow came to fall across the family in the early part of 2002 when Mrs Roche effectively came to suffer from depression.

"It is perhaps not unknown for ladies in her position where children fly the nest.

"In general terms they have a crisis of identity, they wonder what more useful things they can do."

He recorded an open verdict.