A MOTHER died after taking a fatal cocktail of alcohol and prescription drugs.

Sarah Molyneux was found collapsed in the living room of her Lymington home after inadvertently consuming too many tablets while under the influence.

A Winchester inquest heard how the 50-year-old, who had struggled with alcoholism for 20 years, was discovered by daughter Jemima, 19, on September 10 lying next to a box of wine and packets of tablets.

A post-mortem revealed her blood contained alcohol nearly four times the drink- drive limit with some drugs above therapeutic levels but not at dangerous rates.

Pathologist Dr Sanjay Joagai told the inquest the combination of substances and underlying heart and kidney disease led to her death.

Coroner Grahame Short ruled her intoxicated state led her to “forget” which tablets had been taken, rather than a deliberate overdose.

He recorded an alcohol and drug-related death.