A taxman's letter, moving house and worries about paying for petrol to get to a new job took their toll on a woman who had bravely faced her drinking problem, a Bradford inquest heard today.

Amanda Bagshaw, 49, died from multiple knife wounds she inflicted on herself on January 15 this year at a friend's house in Rowlestone Rise, Ravenscliffe, where she was living alone.

Despite being in a long-term relationship with her partner, Angela Hodgson, she had moved out of their home because of her alcohol issues.

Miss Hodgson had tried to help her work on a plan to beat her problems, including the tax demand.

Miss Hodgson described her partner as being a caring person with many positive qualities but who changed when drinking and at times felt overwhelmed and worthless.

The inquest heard how Miss Bagshaw, who had just got a care job in Keighley, had a history of depression and alcohol dependency but had recently been for rehabilitation and had stayed the course, coming out with a brighter attitude and wanting to make plans for the future and had started filling her diary with activities.

But then there was a sudden coming together of problems from all directions at the same time leaving her struggling to deal with them, despite every effort to support her being made by friends and family, the inquest heard.

Post mortem tests showed no evidence of excess drugs or recent alcohol in her system when she died.

Recording his verdict, Assistant Bradford Coroner Dr Dominic Bell said it was beyond reasonable doubt Miss Bagshaw, who left notes, had committed suicide.

He said: "It is no longer a tragedy for Amanda. It's a tragedy for those she leaves behind.

“I hope it doesn't stop family and friends from moving on in their own lives because that would be the worst legacy of all from this tragedy."