A 69-year-old widow found dead in her home had drunk herself to death, an inquest heard.

Margaret Prescott had not been seen for a week and her body was discovered after police were called out and broke open her door.

A pathologist revealed Mrs Prescott had drunk well within the lethal range for alcohol, three-and-a-half times what would be the drink-drive limit. The inquest heard Mrs Prescott, who lived alone, was found dead at her home in Salisbury Avenue, Rainham, on May 19.

A post-mortem confirmed she had died from alcohol poisoning and assistant deputy coroner Stephen Beck recorded a verdict of accidental death. Coroner's officer Jan Sutton told the inquest that Mrs Prescott had last been seen alive on May 11 and worried neighbours contacted her daughter, Christine Martin.

Mrs Sutton said Mrs Prescott had been a heavy drinker for many years, usually consuming vodka.

The inquest heard that Mrs Prescott had suffered no medical problems and was not prescribed any medicine. She was not depressed and had shown no intention to take her own life.

Mrs Prescott was found at the foot of her staircase but there was also no evidence that she had fallen down the stairs.