A 19-year-old took her own life after being told she had failed her first year of university and racked up council tax debt, an inquest heard.

Lara Calthrop had been studying at Queen Mary’s University in London where she was unsuccessful with her end of year exams.

Miss Calthrop continued to share a flat with other students but was unaware she was required to pay council as she was no longer recognised as being in higher education.

On December 29 she was hit by a train at Hildenborough Station.

Miss Calthrop, an admin assistant, was said to be living at her parent’s address in Nizels Lane and was returning from an evening at the Wetherspoon’s in Tunbridge Wells.

Her father Ben received a phone call from her to say she had been dropped off at the station by a taxi and that she would be walking home.

Mr Calthrop was met by police officers as he approached the station where he had gone to find his daughter.

Roger Hatch, senior coroner, recorded a conclusion of suicide.

Since her death Lara’s family have launched a huge fundraising campaign in a bid to help teenage suicide awareness charity, Papyrus, with sponsored walks in the Brecon Beacons, a run in the capital and a sponsored cycle in Kent.

More than £12,000 has been raised already. Posting on the Just Giving page the family said they had no idea she was facing the prospect of no longer being a university student or facing debts owed for council tax.

The statement from Mr Calthrop and his wife Debbie said: “We lost our beautiful Daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend in the early hours of December 29, 2017.

“She felt that the problems she was facing were insurmountable and the only way out was to end her young and wonderfully bright and talented life and walked into the darkness to meet her death.

“As a family we had no idea that she was experiencing such difficulties and are left behind missing her desperately wishing we had seen a sign and been able to help.

“With this in mind we would like to help raise awareness of the terrible sadness that is teenage suicide and help prevent other families being torn apart by this tragic act.

“Please donate if only to help save just one family from experiencing our anguish.”

To donate visit tinyurl.com/larapapyrus