A woman who feared losing her job at a closure-threatened school killed herself by taking an overdose of beta blockers, an inquest heard.

Diane Hayton, 54, of Park Avenue, Oakworth, Keighley, had been prescribed the tablets after telling her doctor she was worried her throat infection might be cancer.

But she was also concerned that her job as an administrative assistant would disappear with the closure of Bronte Middle School in Oakworth.

Her friend David Calverley said in a statement at the Bradford hearing that she was a quiet and reserved woman who had enjoyed her job and her death had come as a complete surprise.

But he felt that she had been worried the school would close within a few years.

The school is one of several earmarked for closure under Bradford Council's reorganisation of the district's education system.

In a letter read to the Bradford inquest, the headteacher explained that the school was not scheduled to close until the year 2000, and Mrs Hayton would either have found another job or been offered a satisfactory retirement package.

A post-mortem revealed that she died from a propranolol overdose.

Assistant deputy coroner James Turnbull recorded a suicide verdict on Mrs Hayton, who was divorced with a 17-year-old son. She was found dead by her son at her home two months ago.

Bronte headteacher Suzanne Howell said staff, pupils and governors were deeply saddened by her death.

"She had a long association with the school as a parent, governor, lunchtime supervisor, classroom support assistant and more recently as the clerical assistant in the main office.

"She is remembered with gratitude for her hard work and enthusiasm, having been involved in so many aspects of school life during the past 12 years."

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