A 45-year-old woman who threw herself in front of a train had left a suicide note, an inquest was told.

Julie Hedges, of The Parade, Wrotham Road, Meopham, near Gravesend, was killed by a train travelling at around 80mph at the village station last December.

Dr Ruth Hirons, consultant psychotherapist, told the inquest Ms Hedges suffered from a personality disorder. She was a single parent whose husband had left her for another woman.

The hearing at Gravesend on Tuesday was told that the mother of one had previously tried to take her own life.

A jury returned a verdict of suicide due to the disturbed balance of Ms Hedges’ mind.

PC Andrew Matthews, of British Transport Police, told the hearing Ms Hedges had left a suicide note in her flat.

Train driver Mark Trinder said he had only seen Ms Hedges as she jumped, about 20ft to 30ft in front of the train. He put on the emergency brake but couldn’t stop in time.