A YORK inquest heard how a 24-year-old woman's battle with depression ended with her eventual death.

Victoria Hodge, of Foss Way, York, was found dead by her best friend, Regina Johnson, of Acomb, on June 3, after she had failed to contact anyone over several days.

Her body was surrounded by empty pill packets. A suicide note had been pinned to the door.

Coroner Donald Coverdale said Miss Hodge's doctor at Haxby Health Clinic had confirmed she had suffered clinical depression and had problems with drug and alcohol abuse.

Her condition had worsened after the death of her mother and grandmother three years ago.

Although she had received counselling for her condition this had recently stopped.

A post-mortem showed she had drunk the equivalent of seven pints and had overdosed on a combination of anti-depressants and painkillers.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, December 12, 2002