The dangers of anti-depression drug Prozac were questioned by a top professor whose wife hanged herself while on the medication.

Wendy Hays, a leading res-earcher and librarian, was found hanging in her garage in Arthington Lane, Arthington, after a four-year period of depression.

Her husband, Professor Alistair Hays, believes that because of the lengthy duration she spent on Prozac, her metabolism had deteriorated, and that the 20mg tablets she had been prescribed were too strong.

Professor Hays, a leading chemical analyst, told the inquest in Leeds: "At no time during her times on Prozac did anyone consider taking or testing her blood levels.

"Blood levels should be measured before a dose is administered and doses need to be right for patients.

"It's possible if a person is given a standard dose that might be too much for them."

Mrs Hays, 52, had weighed just six stone when she was first prescribed Prozac to help with her depression.

Professor Hays said he monitored his wife's mood swings during her treatment on Prozac and believes that it caused suicidal urges which eventually led to her death.

The inquest heard that after ten weeks on Prozac, Mrs Hays became insecure and developed a lack of self worth and during therapy would draw pictures of her brain buzzing and often exploding.

Two weeks before she died Mrs Hays tried to drown herself in the River Wharfe.

Her husband told the inquest: "A recurring theme had developed of her perceived inability to cope."

On September 17 2002, Mrs Hays was found by her husband in the garage. She had hanged herself with her pashmina scarf.

But Professor Hays' beliefs were disputed by Professor Alexander Forrest who conducted the toxicology tests on Mrs Hays.

He told the inquest: "Fluoxitine (the chemical name for Prozac) is relatively safe, even when you take it in an overdose. It's unusual to encounter a fatal dose of it."

He said he had examined Mrs Hays' body mass, concluding her metabolism was fine and could see no reason why the drug could contribute to her death.

l The inquest continues.