A pensioner took an overdose of painkillers after being deeply affected by the death of her sister, an inquest heard.

Retired machinist Eileen Williams, of Crown Road, Shoreham, swallowed about 50 tablets she was taking to help mild arthritis and angina.

The 82-year-old widow, who had lived in Shoreham all her life, was found in her bed on Sunday, December 29, last year by Kevin Graysmark, the husband of her niece.

He told yesterday's hearing at Worthing Hospital: "My wife had tried to contact her three times during the day. By the third time, I got this feeling something was wrong.

"My wife and I called round and saw she was in her bed. It was obvious she had died and my wife ran into the front room as she did not want to see her like that."

A post-mortem examination found Mrs Williams had died as a result of the fatal dose of painkillers she had taken.

There were no suspicious circumstances.

Her son Simon Williams told the inquest his mother had been "understandably affected" by the death of her sister a month earlier and there were some small problems regarding her sister's estate.

Coroner Roger Stone told the family at the inquest: "We know Eileen Williams seemed to have been a well lady but the death of her sister and other problems seemed to have affected her more than she let on. I hope that you remember the happier occasions of her life."

His verdict was Mrs Williams took her own life.